Umeå Police Investigate Antisemitic Doll Display as Hate Crime
Umeå police launch hate crime investigation into antisemitic doll display.
Key Points
- • Dolls with Star of David symbols were found hanging in Umeå park.
- • The display included a sign stating 'a genocide is a genocide is a genocide.'
- • Ebba Busch condemned the act as antisemitism disguised as Israel critique.
- • Umeå for Palestine distanced itself from the display.
In Umeå, Sweden, police have initiated an investigation into a possible hate crime after dolls adorned with Star of David symbols were discovered hanging by nooses in a public park. The display included dolls dressed in blue-striped shirts and a sign proclaiming, "a genocide is a genocide is a genocide," raising alarm among local leaders and organizations. The incident occurred on July 19, 2025, around lunchtime. Police spokesperson Maria Linné confirmed that they are looking into reports of hate speech but have not identified any suspects yet.
The event has sparked outrage, particularly from Vice Prime Minister and leader of the Christian Democrats, Ebba Busch. On social media, Busch condemned the display, emphasizing that "Antisemitism has long been masked as 'Israel criticism,' but this goes far beyond all boundaries." This sentiment was echoed by the Jewish Central Council, which labeled the act "deeply concerning and totally unacceptable."
Hans Lindberg, chairman of the Umeå municipal council, also criticized the display, reinforcing the municipality's position against any form of antisemitism while supporting the police's efforts to resolve the case.
The organization behind the installation, Umeå for Palestine, claimed their intention was to highlight the horrors of genocide, irrespective of the victims, though they distanced themselves from the antisemitic implications of the dolls. They insisted that they did not plan or execute the installation and that their message had been misinterpreted.