There is an increased threat to Jewish and Israeli interests in Sweden, according to the police, who are therefore monitoring parts of Stockholm by drone for three months.
“The surveillance areas and the timing mean that many people will be affected by it“, the police confirm.
Kungsträdgården, Blasieholmen, Östermalm and Diplomatstaden are some of the areas that will be under mass surveillance around the clock until the end of April – and the material recorded will be saved.
“Due to recent events and the current international situation, the Police Authority has decided to increase the supervision of Israeli and Jewish interests in Sweden”, the decision states, and the area under surveillance includes the Great Synagogue and the Israeli Embassy.
The police also refer to a “sharp object” found at the embassy in January last year, a shooting that took place near the embassy in May and the alleged shooting of an Israeli company in Gothenburg in October.
Armed Israelis guard the synagogue
However, the police authority does not want to tell the public how extensive the drone surveillance is, as this is “covered by confidentiality”.
In December, it was reported that armed Israeli citizens are now guarding the Stockholm synagogue.
Despite not having undergone mandatory Swedish personal security training, the militia-like group is allowed to carry weapons on Swedish soil – and the police refuse to disclose information on the grounds that this “would disrupt relations with other countries”.
