Government presents national coordinator for strategy to strengthen Jewish life and combat antisemitism

Mr Isak Reichel, currently Director General at the Swedish Agency for Support to Faith Communities (SST), has been appointed as national coordinator.

The assignment will involve coordinating the authorities and stakeholders that can contribute to the implementation of the strategy, offering knowledge support, and ensuring that they help to achieve the goals. The national coordinator will also monitor the implementation of the strategy and its goals and suggest how it should be monitored in the longer term.  

“Since the Government took office, we have emphazised that the work to combat antisemitism is a priority. This is a prerequisite for maintaining the thriving Jewish life that we want in our country. The coordinator and the strategy to strengthen Jewish life and combat antisemitism are central to these efforts,” says Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand. 

“Antisemitism has no place in our society. With a national coordinator, we will enhance the implementation of the strategy to strengthen Jewish life and combat antisemitism. Mr Reichel’s experience, of working to support religious communities as Director General of SST will be highly valuable to this crucial assignment,” says Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed.

“The fact that the strategy is now being implemented with decisive action against antisemitism is a vital step towards a society in which Jews can live openly and safely. Having a national coordinator in place creates better conditions for these efforts to be followed up in line with the needs and experiences of the Jewish community. That is how we can achieve lasting change,” says Minister for Gender Equality Nina Larsson.

The strategy is a 10-year commitment for the period 2025–2034, and the assignment of the national coordinator extends to and includes March 2029. The need to coordinate and follow up the strategy is expected to last for the duration of this period. The premise is that, in the long term, these activities will be incorporated into an existing government agency.

The assignment will be carried out in dialogue with, the Jewish minority. The assignment is to be reported in full by 31 March 2029.

On 15 May 2025, the Swedish Government adopted a national strategy to strengthen Jewish life and combat antisemitism. The strategy will provide a structure for national efforts for the period 2025–2034. The aim is to lay the foundations for more focused and coordinated efforts and create better conditions for Jewish life in Sweden.