Israel Furious at Organ Harvesting Accusation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu likened a report in a Swedish tabloid that said Israeli troops harvested organs from dead Palestinians to “medieval libels that Jews killed Christian children for their blood.”

The Swedish government has refused to condemn the story on free speech grounds, Israel may refuse to let Sweden’s foreign minister into the country and the whole thing feels like a terrible distraction. —PS

Los Angeles Times:

The article in the Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet on Aug. 17 drew little attention until Israel demanded, two days later, that Sweden’s government condemn it. Swedish officials refused, saying the newspaper has a constitutional right to free expression.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined a chorus of Israeli protest against the Swedish stance, saying it ignores the article’s potential to incite violence against Jews. Addressing his Cabinet, Netanyahu likened the report to “medieval libels that Jews killed Christian children for their blood,” said an official who was present.

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