People

Young Swedish Muslim joins fight against anti-Semitism

Siavosh Derakhti, 25, a Swedish Muslim honored in Europe and the United States for his campaign to counter anti-Semitism, explains his motivation by invoking David.

David, Derakhti has told audiences on four continents, was one of his best friends when he was a child. Other children always bullied David, and Derakhti wanted to know why. David said he was hated for being Jewish. After that, David had a Muslim ally, someone who literally fought by his side.

Derakhti is devoted to addressing the plight of the Jews in Sweden and Europe, where anti-Semitism has risen to levels so alarming that Jews talk of leaving for safer lives in Israel or the United States.