SWEDISH ARTICLE ON ISRAELI ORGAN HARVESTING OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 STOCKHOLM 000542 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2019 TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL IS SW SUBJECT: SWEDISH ARTICLE ON ISRAELI ORGAN HARVESTING OF PALESTINIAN DETAINEES SPARKS DIPLOMATIC ROW REF: 2007 STOCKHOLM 1178 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: DCM Robert J. Silverman for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). Summary: -------------- ¶1. (U) An August 17 article in the largest selling Swedish tabloid "Aftonbladet" alleged that Israeli soldiers harvested organs from Palestinian youths for sale on international markets, and it tied this allegation to a NYC-based organ trafficking ring. This resulted in a diplomatic feud between Sweden and Israel. Israel is demanding Swedish leaders condemn the article, but the Swedish government is refusing, citing the Swedish constitution's provision on freedom of the press. Swedish FM Bildt says he cannot, and will not, spend his time commenting on or criticizing articles in the local media. Israeli PM Netanyahu has now entered the fray, according to the Swedish press, demanding a condemnation rather than an apology. ¶2. (C) The row continues and could have implications for FM Bildt's trip to Israel, scheduled for September 10. Israeli embassy contacts tell us the planned August 28 visit to Sweden of Israeli National Security Advisor Uzi Arad has now been canceled by the GOI because "it is not the right time." Comment: After the 2007 publication in a Swedish paper of a cartoon depicting Mohammed as a dog, Swedish PM Reinfeldt did not apologize, but he did meet with local Muslim leaders to defuse tensions. He also publicly expressed his regret for the offense to religious sensibilities. The Government's response this time, however, has not included outreach of this kind. End Summary. Swedish Article Sets Off Israel -------------- ¶3. (U) An article in the Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet headlined "They Plunder the Organs of our Sons" has sparked a diplomatic crisis between Sweden, which currently holds the EU Presidency, and Israel. The article, published on August 17, accuses the Israeli army of involvement in harvesting organs from Palestinian youths for sale on the international market. Author Daniel Bostrom links reports he received from Palestinians to a New York-based network's involvement in organ trafficking. ¶4. (U) The article prompted strong reactions in Israel, leading Sweden's Ambassador to Israel, Elisabeth Borsiin Bonnier, to write on the embassy's website: "The article in the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet is as shocking and appalling to us Swedes as it is to Israeli citizens. We share the dismay expressed by Israeli government representatives, media and the Israeli public. This Embassy cannot but clearly distance itself from it." However, the Swedish MFA subsequently said Bonnier's decision to comment on the publication was a "local initiative" that had not been sanctioned by Stockholm. "The foreign ministry does not review articles in the Swedish press about foreign circumstances," MFA spokesman Anders Jorle told the media. Ambassador Bonnier's statement was subsequently removed from the website. Israel Protests Officially -------------- ¶5. (U) On August 20, Israel announced its intentions to lodge an official protest to Sweden, according to Swedish press. Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told the press, "It is regrettable that the Swedish foreign ministry does not intervene when it comes to blood libel against Jews, which reminds one of Sweden's conduct during World War II when it also did not intervene." Lieberman stated that he intends to send a strongly worded protest to Sweden's FM Bildt. Such a protest has not yet been received, according to the MFA sources on August 24. Israeli NSA Arad Cancels Visit -------------- ¶6. (C) On August 21, Israeli Ambassador to Sweden, Benny Dagan, attended a previously scheduled meeting with the MFA State Secretary Frank Belfrage (DepSec equivalent). Press reports indicate discussion focused solely on the Aftonbladet article. "I feel really upset, furious and disappointed. Really, there are no words to describe fully how I feel about this, not even in Hebrew," Dagan told the press after the meeting. Dagan subsequently told the DCM on August 21 that he did not see this row as affecting the planned September 10 visit to Israel by FM Bildt and that normal government-to-government contacts continue. But on August STOCKHOLM 00000542 002 OF 003 24, other Israeli embassy contacts confirmed to us that the planned August 28 visit to Sweden of Israeli National Security Advisor Uzi Arad had been canceled over the weekend. "It is not the right time," they said. Bildt Stresses Constitutional Rights -------------- ¶7. (U) That same day, Swedish FM Bildt wrote on his blog that he understands the article stirs up strong feelings in Israel, but that the Swedish constitution guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of the press. "In other situations, different regimes have tried to make Swedish governments restrict freedom of the press. And the conclusion that we always made is that this strong constitutional protection is important." Bildt drew parallels to the 2007 discussion regarding a cartoon that appeared in a Swedish local newspaper depicting Mohammed as a dog. "I believe that it is through openness that we best build tolerance and understanding that are so important in our society. I believe this is the case this time as well." ¶8. (U) Note: In August 2007, Swedish artist Lars Vilks offered to display sketches of Mohammed as a dog in various Swedish galleries. After the offers were rejected as offensive to Islam, a regional daily undertook to publish one of the drawings, together with an op-ed titled "The Right to Ridicule a Religion." Protests erupted shortly thereafter, featuring calls for the GoS to condemn or apologize for the cartoon. Several Muslim countries made official complaints as demonstrations were held in Sweden and in the Middle East. Swedish businesses were threatened, and death threats were made against Vilks and the paper's publisher. Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt then met with a group of Muslim ambassadors to discuss the repercussions from the publication. He subsequently told the Swedish press that he had explained to the ambassadors how Swedish society works and that "our elected representatives do not make decisions on publications." He did, however, express regret for any offense to religious sensibilities. End Note. "Sweden is Not Anti-Semitic" -------------- ¶9. (U) The following day, August 22, FM Bildt wrote on his blog that he is angry about the allegations that the Swedish government is anti-Semitic. Bildt also stressed that he has no right to act against publication decisions, no matter what he personally thinks about what is being published. "We have a constitution that all must respect." There is a ban against hate crimes that forbids anti-Semitic agitation, but it is the judicial systems, not the politicians' - responsibility to act on such crimes and put those who violate this law through proper legal proceedings." PM Netanyahu Enters the Fray -------------- ¶10. (U) By August 23, Swedish press was focused on the statements of Israeli PM Netanyahu. "We demand and expect a formal condemnation from the Swedish government," PM Netanyahu was quoted as saying. However, FM Bildt repeated that he will do no such thing. "No, if there were to be an apology it is up to Aftonbladet. I am not the responsible publisher," Bildt told the press. Implications for Bildt's Travel -------------- ¶11. (C) Also on August 23, Swedish media reported that Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz implied that Bildt's planned September 10 visit to Israel might be canceled. "Anyone unable to condemn such blood-slander might be considered unwelcome in Israel." He also said that GoS cannot shield itself from the conflict and that the crisis will remain until Stockholm changes its mind. "Israel cannot overlook such a manifestation of anti-Semitism." Comment -------------- ¶12. (U) After the 2007 publication of a cartoon depicting Mohammed as a dog, Swedish PM Reinfeldt did not apologize, but he did engage in outreach to local Muslim leaders to defuse tensions after two weeks of protests and threats against the cartoonist. The press covered that event prominently, with front page photos of the prime minister meeting ambassadors from Arab states and local Muslim leaders. The Government's response this time, however, has been limited to FM Bildt's blogs and a few public comments in response to questions by journalists. There has nQyet been STOCKHOLM 00000542 003 OF 003 any outreach to the local Jewish community. End Comment. BARZUN