Swedish Liberal Leader Wears Star of David Pendant Amid Election Debate on Antisemitism

Simona Mohamsson, chairwoman of Sweden's Liberal Party, sparked controversy during a major European election debate by wearing a Star of David pendant. She explained that she wears the symbol "for the children who do not dare to do so in today's Sweden," highlighting concerns about rising antisemitism. The debate, organized by the newspapers Expressen and Dagens Industri, saw antisemitism become a central topic.

During the debate, Christian Democratic leader Ebba Busch touched Mohamsson's pendant and addressed Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar, condemning threats and hatred faced by Jewish children in Gothenburg. Busch accused Dadgostar's party of failing to confront "Islamist antisemitism," while Dadgostar countered that her opponents scare the public by "pitting people against each other."

Mohamsson's gesture is particularly notable given her background: her father is Palestinian and her mother Lebanese. Her father fled a refugee camp in Lebanon to Sweden, and the family later moved to Hamburg, Germany, where Mohamsson was born. They returned to Sweden when she was eight, settling in the small town of Overlida. She has described growing up in a Middle Eastern family and struggling to find her place in Swedish society.

At 32, Mohamsson became Liberal Party leader in June 2025 after years of political activism. She initially considered joining the Left Party but was drawn to the Liberals' emphasis on individual freedom. She has said she was never the "natural candidate" due to her diverse background but now leads the Liberals into their first election under her leadership, seeking to distinguish the party from both the Left and right-wing bloc.

Wearing the Star of David during the key debate stands as one of Mohamsson's most prominent political statements to date, underscoring the ongoing challenges of antisemitism in Sweden.