Controversy over Danish election posters
Local elections will be held in Copenhagen on 18 November. The Independent Green Party, which was founded in 2020, has made waves with campaign posters that read: "Free Copenhagen from Zionism" and "Dissolve the State of Israel". For the Danish press this goes too far.
Distingush between opinions and threats
This is where freedom of expression reaches its limits, Berlingske writes:
“We have extensive freedom of expression in Denmark. This is an absolute good that we must preserve and cherish. Of course, this also applies when those with whom we disagree most exercise their freedom of expression. This is fundamentally correct and also the safest approach: it's best for our democracy when the most extreme views come to light, where we can see them, expose them and combat them with counter-arguments. However, comprehensive freedom of expression can only work if we are able to distinguish precisely between opinions and threats.”
Fueling fear and prejudice
Politiken believes that the Independent Greens are trying to capitalise politically at the expense of an already threatened community:
“The idea that Jews are pulling the strings behind the scenes and controlling society in sinister ways is perhaps the oldest antisemitic prejudice. And the use of the word 'liberate' implies that Zionism has infiltrated the city administration. Perhaps, as Sikandar Siddique, the leader of the Independent Greens, says, the poster is not directed against Jews. But it is likely to fuel fears and prejudice at a time when antisemitism is on the rise and the Jewish community is under pressure.”