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== Biography ==
== Biography ==
Jomshof was born in 1969 in Helsingborg to a Swedish mother and a Finnish father.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=185&artikel=5754189 |title=SD:n Richard Jomshof uskoo äänimäärän kaksinkertaistuvan |website=Sisuradio |access-date=December 26, 2016 |language=Finnish}}</ref> He studied history and social studies at [[Malmö University]] before attending the university's affiliated teacher training college and subsequently worked as a primary school and then a secondary school teacher.<ref name="Sydsvenskan">{{cite news|url=http://www.sydsvenskan.se/sverige/sparkad-for-sina-asikter/|title=Sparkad för sina åsikter|author-link=Niklas Orrenius| last=Orrenius |first=Niklas|work=[[Sydsvenskan]]|date=2005-10-16|access-date=2014-12-27}}</ref> As a teacher, Jomshof was according to himself dismissed from two jobs for being part of Sweden Democrats.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://skolvarlden.se/artiklar/sd-larare-tar-plats-i-riksdagen|title=SD-lärare tar plats i riksdagen|publisher=Skolvärlden| date=2010-09-28 | accessdate=2022-11-10}}</ref>
Jomshof was born in 1969 in Helsingborg to a Swedish mother and a Finnish father.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=185&artikel=5754189 |title=SD:n Richard Jomshof uskoo äänimäärän kaksinkertaistuvan |website=Sisuradio |access-date=December 26, 2016 |language=Finnish |archive-date=4 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104000037/http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=185&artikel=5754189 |url-status=live }}</ref> He studied history and social studies at [[Malmö University]] before attending the university's affiliated teacher training college and subsequently worked as a primary school and then a secondary school teacher.<ref name="Sydsvenskan">{{cite news|url=http://www.sydsvenskan.se/sverige/sparkad-for-sina-asikter/|title=Sparkad för sina åsikter|author-link=Niklas Orrenius|last=Orrenius|first=Niklas|work=[[Sydsvenskan]]|date=2005-10-16|access-date=2014-12-27|archive-date=22 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141122081240/http://www.sydsvenskan.se/sverige/sparkad-for-sina-asikter/|url-status=dead}}</ref> As a teacher, Jomshof was according to himself dismissed from two jobs for being part of Sweden Democrats.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://skolvarlden.se/artiklar/sd-larare-tar-plats-i-riksdagen|title=SD-lärare tar plats i riksdagen|publisher=Skolvärlden|date=2010-09-28|accessdate=2022-11-10|archive-date=10 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110000531/https://skolvarlden.se/artiklar/sd-larare-tar-plats-i-riksdagen|url-status=live}}</ref>


After his teaching studies, Jomshof became a musician, co-founding and playing in the Swedish [[synthpop]] band [[Elegant Machinery]]. In a 2013 interview with ''Side-Line'', he spoke about his involvement in SD and what effect it has had on Elegant Machinery.<ref>{{cite web |title=Elegant Machinery's Richard Jomshof speaks out on being a member of the Sverigedemokraterna |url=http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=40649_0_2_0_C |website=Side-Line |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906040642/http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=40649_0_2_0_C|archive-date=2013-09-06}}</ref> When asked what he thought had improved in Sweden the latest 20 years, he said it was the music.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Liljestrand |first1=Jens |title=En udda fågel bland Sverigedemokraterna |url=https://www.expressen.se/kultur/en-udda-fagel-bland-sverigedemokraterna/ |accessdate=7 July 2020 |issue=8 Apr 2015 |publisher=Expressen |date=8 Apr 2015}}</ref>
After his teaching studies, Jomshof became a musician, co-founding and playing in the Swedish [[synthpop]] band [[Elegant Machinery]]. In a 2013 interview with ''Side-Line'', he spoke about his involvement in SD and what effect it has had on Elegant Machinery.<ref>{{cite web |title=Elegant Machinery's Richard Jomshof speaks out on being a member of the Sverigedemokraterna |url=http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=40649_0_2_0_C |website=Side-Line |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906040642/http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=40649_0_2_0_C|archive-date=2013-09-06}}</ref> When asked what he thought had improved in Sweden the latest 20 years, he said it was the music.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Liljestrand |first1=Jens |title=En udda fågel bland Sverigedemokraterna |url=https://www.expressen.se/kultur/en-udda-fagel-bland-sverigedemokraterna/ |accessdate=7 July 2020 |issue=8 Apr 2015 |publisher=Expressen |date=8 Apr 2015 |archive-date=7 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707140543/https://www.expressen.se/kultur/en-udda-fagel-bland-sverigedemokraterna/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Political career ===
=== Political career ===
Jomshof's original political background was in the [[Moderate Youth League]] and he had also previously voted for the [[Swedish Social Democratic Party]]. He first became active in SD in the late 1990s. During the [[2009 European Parliament election]], Jomshof stood on the SD's list
Jomshof's original political background was in the [[Moderate Youth League]] and he had also previously voted for the [[Swedish Social Democratic Party]]. He first became active in SD in the late 1990s. During the [[2009 European Parliament election]], Jomshof stood on the SD's list
but was not elected.<ref name="Sydsvenskan"/>
but was not elected.<ref name="Sydsvenskan"/>
Since the [[2010 Swedish general election]], Jomshof represents the [[Gävleborg]] constituency in the [[Riksdag]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.val.se/val/val2010/slutresultat/R/rvalkrets/25/valda.html |title=Val till riksdagen - Valda - Gävleborgs län |publisher=val.se| date=2010-09-23 | accessdate=2010-10-07}}</ref> He was also responsible for drafting the SD's education policies in the party manifesto ahead of the 2010 election.<ref name="Sydsvenskan"/>
Since the [[2010 Swedish general election]], Jomshof represents the [[Gävleborg]] constituency in the [[Riksdag]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.val.se/val/val2010/slutresultat/R/rvalkrets/25/valda.html |title=Val till riksdagen - Valda - Gävleborgs län |publisher=val.se |date=2010-09-23 |accessdate=2010-10-07 |archive-date=25 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100925084627/http://www.val.se/val/val2010/slutresultat/R/rvalkrets/25/valda.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He was also responsible for drafting the SD's education policies in the party manifesto ahead of the 2010 election.<ref name="Sydsvenskan"/>


In 2012, he succeeded [[Kent Ekeroth]] as SD's spokesman on legal affairs, and in January 2015 he was elected as party secretary, succeeding [[Björn Söder]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Taylor|first=Adam|date=27 January 2015|title=Swedish far-right leader says Islamism is a bigger threat than Nazism|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/01/27/swedish-far-right-leader-says-islamism-is-a-bigger-threat-than-nazism/|access-date=5 May 2021|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> In 2021, he was appointed the SD's spokesman on education policy.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2022-03-04|language=sv-SE|title=Hela listan – SD:s nya talespersoner|url=https://www.altinget.se/navnenyt/hela-listan-sds-nya-talespersoner|work=Altinget.se}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
In 2012, he succeeded [[Kent Ekeroth]] as SD's spokesman on legal affairs, and in January 2015 he was elected as party secretary, succeeding [[Björn Söder]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Taylor|first=Adam|date=27 January 2015|title=Swedish far-right leader says Islamism is a bigger threat than Nazism|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/01/27/swedish-far-right-leader-says-islamism-is-a-bigger-threat-than-nazism/|access-date=5 May 2021|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> In 2021, he was appointed the SD's spokesman on education policy.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2022-03-04|language=sv-SE|title=Hela listan – SD:s nya talespersoner|url=https://www.altinget.se/navnenyt/hela-listan-sds-nya-talespersoner|work=Altinget.se}}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>


Following the [[2022 Swedish general election]], Jomshof was appointed chairman of the [[Committee on Justice|Justice Committee]] in the Riksdag.<ref>{{cite web | title=Sweden: Right-wing party get 4 chairmanships in parliament | url=https://apnews.com/article/business-elections-general-sweden-23be530858f6a14c01b0e782ebff4b8a | date=1 October 2022 | website=[[Associated Press]] | access-date= 2 October 2022}}</ref> In September 2024, he temporarily stepped down as chair of the Justice Committee after Swedish police announced an investigation into whether two Tweets made by Jomshof sharing caricatures of Muslims as villains constituted a hate crime.<ref>{{cite web|date=13 September 2024|title=Sweden Democrat justice committee chair steps down over hate crime suspicion|url=https://www.thelocal.se/20240913/sweden-democrat-justice-committee-chair-steps-down-over-hate-crime-suspicion|author-last=Löfgren|author-first=Emma|access-date=13 September 2024|work=The Local Sweden}}</ref>
Following the [[2022 Swedish general election]], Jomshof was appointed chairman of the [[Committee on Justice|Justice Committee]] in the Riksdag.<ref>{{cite web | title=Sweden: Right-wing party get 4 chairmanships in parliament | url=https://apnews.com/article/business-elections-general-sweden-23be530858f6a14c01b0e782ebff4b8a | date=1 October 2022 | website=[[Associated Press]] | access-date= 2 October 2022}}</ref> In September 2024, he temporarily stepped down as chair of the Justice Committee after Swedish police announced an investigation into whether two Tweets made by Jomshof sharing caricatures of Muslims as villains constituted a hate crime.<ref>{{cite web|date=13 September 2024|title=Sweden Democrat justice committee chair steps down over hate crime suspicion|url=https://www.thelocal.se/20240913/sweden-democrat-justice-committee-chair-steps-down-over-hate-crime-suspicion|author-last=Löfgren|author-first=Emma|access-date=13 September 2024|work=The Local Sweden|archive-date=13 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913125418/https://www.thelocal.se/20240913/sweden-democrat-justice-committee-chair-steps-down-over-hate-crime-suspicion|url-status=live}}</ref>


== Political beliefs ==
== Political beliefs ==
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=== Foreign policy ===
=== Foreign policy ===
Jomshof is a supporter of [[Israel|Israeli]] politics and has visited the country and posed with the Israeli flag on several occasions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jag är nationalist, men också en stor vän av Israel. Och? |url=https://twitter.com/RichardJomshof/status/1576567325402091524}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-09-18 |title=”Judiske” mannen på SD:s valvaka var ingen jude |url=https://www.dagen.se/nyheter/2014/09/18/judiske-mannen-pa-sds-valvaka-var-ingen-jude/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Dagen |language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Byström |first=Ingrid |date=2023-05-22 |title=(+) SD-toppar besökte Israel – mötte Knessetledamöter |url=https://www.varldenidag.se/nyheter/sd-toppar-besokte-israel-motte-knessetledamoter/347155 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=www.varldenidag.se |language=sv-SE}}</ref> On 31 October 2023, he wished [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] "good hunting" in its war against [[Hamas]], which sparked criticism in Swedish media.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-02 |title=Jomshof önskar Israels militär ”Good Hunting” |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/nQ6p2x |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=www.aftonbladet.se |language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nilsson |first=Johannes |date=2023-11-01 |title=Jomshof önskar Israels armé ”god jaktlycka” – då rasar Ramberg - Nyheter Idag |url=https://nyheteridag.se/jomshof-onskar-israels-arme-god-jaktlycka-da-rasar-ramberg/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Nyheter Idag - Du vet att vi behövs! |language=sv-SE}}</ref>
Jomshof is a supporter of [[Israel|Israeli]] politics and has visited the country and posed with the Israeli flag on several occasions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jag är nationalist, men också en stor vän av Israel. Och? |url=https://twitter.com/RichardJomshof/status/1576567325402091524}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-09-18 |title=”Judiske” mannen på SD:s valvaka var ingen jude |url=https://www.dagen.se/nyheter/2014/09/18/judiske-mannen-pa-sds-valvaka-var-ingen-jude/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Dagen |language=sv |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214042431/https://www.dagen.se/nyheter/2014/09/18/judiske-mannen-pa-sds-valvaka-var-ingen-jude/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Byström |first=Ingrid |date=2023-05-22 |title=(+) SD-toppar besökte Israel – mötte Knessetledamöter |url=https://www.varldenidag.se/nyheter/sd-toppar-besokte-israel-motte-knessetledamoter/347155 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=www.varldenidag.se |language=sv-SE |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214042431/https://www.varldenidag.se/nyheter/sd-toppar-besokte-israel-motte-knessetledamoter/347155 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 31 October 2023, he wished [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] "good hunting" in its war against [[Hamas]], which sparked criticism in Swedish media.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-02 |title=Jomshof önskar Israels militär ”Good Hunting” |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/nQ6p2x |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=www.aftonbladet.se |language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nilsson |first=Johannes |date=2023-11-01 |title=Jomshof önskar Israels armé ”god jaktlycka” – då rasar Ramberg - Nyheter Idag |url=https://nyheteridag.se/jomshof-onskar-israels-arme-god-jaktlycka-da-rasar-ramberg/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Nyheter Idag - Du vet att vi behövs! |language=sv-SE |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214042431/https://nyheteridag.se/jomshof-onskar-israels-arme-god-jaktlycka-da-rasar-ramberg/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Opinions on Islam ===
=== Opinions on Islam ===
Jomshof has received media attention for his statements about [[Islam]] and Muslim immigration to Sweden and has been accused of [[Islamophobia]] by political opponents, but has claimed he is not opposed to immigrants.<ref>{{cite news |last=Orrenius |first=Niklas |author-link=Niklas Orrenius |date=2005-10-16 |title=Sparkad för sina åsikter |work=[[Sydsvenskan]] |url=http://www.sydsvenskan.se/sverige/sparkad-for-sina-asikter/ |access-date=2014-12-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=10 islamofobiska uttalanden från Richard Jomshof (SD) |url=https://www.etc.se/inrikes/10-islamofobiska-uttalanden-fran-richard-jomshof-sd |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=Dagens ETC |language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=SKMA |date=2022-05-16 |title=Hatet mot muslimer speglar kärnan i det sverigedemokratiska projektet |url=https://skma.se/2022/05/hatet-mot-muslimer-speglar-karnan-i-det-sverigedemokratiska-projektet/ |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=Svenska kommittén mot antisemitism (SKMA) |language=sv-SE}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nilsson |first=Erik |date=2022-05-13 |title="Varför skulle det vara islamofobiskt?" |language=sv |work=Svenska Dagbladet |url=https://www.svd.se/a/rE7vl0/johan-pehrson-om-richard-jomshofs-tweet-hatiskt-faktiskt |access-date=2022-11-16 |issn=1101-2412}}</ref>
Jomshof has received media attention for his statements about [[Islam]] and Muslim immigration to Sweden and has been accused of [[Islamophobia]] by political opponents, but has claimed he is not opposed to immigrants.<ref>{{cite news |last=Orrenius |first=Niklas |author-link=Niklas Orrenius |date=2005-10-16 |title=Sparkad för sina åsikter |work=[[Sydsvenskan]] |url=http://www.sydsvenskan.se/sverige/sparkad-for-sina-asikter/ |access-date=2014-12-27 |archive-date=22 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141122081240/http://www.sydsvenskan.se/sverige/sparkad-for-sina-asikter/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=10 islamofobiska uttalanden från Richard Jomshof (SD) |url=https://www.etc.se/inrikes/10-islamofobiska-uttalanden-fran-richard-jomshof-sd |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=Dagens ETC |language=sv |archive-date=16 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116194203/https://www.etc.se/inrikes/10-islamofobiska-uttalanden-fran-richard-jomshof-sd |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=SKMA |date=2022-05-16 |title=Hatet mot muslimer speglar kärnan i det sverigedemokratiska projektet |url=https://skma.se/2022/05/hatet-mot-muslimer-speglar-karnan-i-det-sverigedemokratiska-projektet/ |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=Svenska kommittén mot antisemitism (SKMA) |language=sv-SE |archive-date=16 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116194208/https://skma.se/2022/05/hatet-mot-muslimer-speglar-karnan-i-det-sverigedemokratiska-projektet/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nilsson |first=Erik |date=2022-05-13 |title="Varför skulle det vara islamofobiskt?" |language=sv |work=Svenska Dagbladet |url=https://www.svd.se/a/rE7vl0/johan-pehrson-om-richard-jomshofs-tweet-hatiskt-faktiskt |access-date=2022-11-16 |issn=1101-2412 |archive-date=16 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116194203/https://www.svd.se/a/rE7vl0/johan-pehrson-om-richard-jomshofs-tweet-hatiskt-faktiskt |url-status=live }}</ref>


During a speech in the [[Riksdag|Swedish parliament]] in 2013, Jomshof said that Islam, unlike [[Christianity]], is immoral and [[Islam and violence|violent]]. During the same speech he compared Islam to [[Nazism]] and claimed that they both have no place in Western society.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/webb-tv/video/allmanpolitisk-debatt/allmanpolitisk-debatt_H1C120131016al |title=Allmänpolitisk debatt 16 oktober 2013" |publisher=Riksdagen| date=2013-10-16 | accessdate=2022-11-08}}</ref> In 2021, Jomshof appeared on a Swedish TV show ''[[Sverige möts]]'', where he allegedly called Islam a "disgusting religion." His remarks drew media attention and he was subsequently criticized by Moderate leader [[Ulf Kristersson]] and former Swedish prime minister [[Stefan Löfven]]. Jomshof later stated that his comments had been misinterpreted and taken out of context.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tv4.se/artikel/T2xUFG9cDF15vZkieR5IO/jomshof-star-fast-vid-uttalandet-ja-islam-aer-en-avskyvaerd-religion |title=Jomshof står fast vid uttalandet: "Ja, islam är en avskyvärd religion" |publisher=TV4| date=2021-03-12 | accessdate=2022-11-08}}</ref> In 2023, in response to a call by the [[Muslim Association of Sweden]] for dialogue over the [[2023 Quran desecration in Sweden|2023 Quran burnings in Sweden]], Jomshof controversially tweeted that there was a need for dialogue over "how we democratise the Muslim world," calling Islam an "antidemocratic, violence-promoting and misogynistic religion/ideology" and calling [[Muhammad]] a "warlord, mass-murderer, slave trader and bandit."<ref>{{cite web|date=27 July 2023|title=Opposition calls for Sweden Democrat to resign over Mohammed tweet|url=https://www.thelocal.se/20230727/swedish-opposition-calls-for-sweden-democrat-to-resign-over-mohammed-tweet|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=29 July 2023|work=The Local Sweden}}</ref>
During a speech in the [[Riksdag|Swedish parliament]] in 2013, Jomshof said that Islam, unlike [[Christianity]], is immoral and [[Islam and violence|violent]]. During the same speech he compared Islam to [[Nazism]] and claimed that they both have no place in Western society.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/webb-tv/video/allmanpolitisk-debatt/allmanpolitisk-debatt_H1C120131016al |title=Allmänpolitisk debatt 16 oktober 2013" |publisher=Riksdagen |date=2013-10-16 |accessdate=2022-11-08 |archive-date=7 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107140544/https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/webb-tv/video/allmanpolitisk-debatt/allmanpolitisk-debatt_H1C120131016al |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, Jomshof appeared on a Swedish TV show ''[[Sverige möts]]'', where he allegedly called Islam a "disgusting religion." His remarks drew media attention and he was subsequently criticized by Moderate leader [[Ulf Kristersson]] and former Swedish prime minister [[Stefan Löfven]]. Jomshof later stated that his comments had been misinterpreted and taken out of context.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tv4.se/artikel/T2xUFG9cDF15vZkieR5IO/jomshof-star-fast-vid-uttalandet-ja-islam-aer-en-avskyvaerd-religion |title=Jomshof står fast vid uttalandet: "Ja, islam är en avskyvärd religion" |publisher=TV4 |date=2021-03-12 |accessdate=2022-11-08 |archive-date=7 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107140541/https://www.tv4.se/artikel/T2xUFG9cDF15vZkieR5IO/jomshof-star-fast-vid-uttalandet-ja-islam-aer-en-avskyvaerd-religion |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2023, in response to a call by the [[Muslim Association of Sweden]] for dialogue over the [[2023 Quran desecration in Sweden|2023 Quran burnings in Sweden]], Jomshof controversially tweeted that there was a need for dialogue over "how we democratise the Muslim world," calling Islam an "antidemocratic, violence-promoting and misogynistic religion/ideology" and calling [[Muhammad]] a "warlord, mass-murderer, slave trader and bandit."<ref>{{cite web|date=27 July 2023|title=Opposition calls for Sweden Democrat to resign over Mohammed tweet|url=https://www.thelocal.se/20230727/swedish-opposition-calls-for-sweden-democrat-to-resign-over-mohammed-tweet|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=29 July 2023|work=The Local Sweden|archive-date=29 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729093513/https://www.thelocal.se/20230727/swedish-opposition-calls-for-sweden-democrat-to-resign-over-mohammed-tweet|url-status=live}}</ref>


In January 2024, Jomshof ignited controversy in Sweden by proposing the prohibition of the Islamic [[star and crescent]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ericson |first=Adrian |date=2024-01-22 |title=Strömmers svar: ”Det är inte aktuellt” |url=https://www.svd.se/a/4o9rPV/jomshof-forbjud-halvmanar-offentligt |access-date=2024-01-24 |work=Svenska Dagbladet |language=sv |issn=1101-2412}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-23 |title=Swedish Democrats come up with proposal to ban Islamic symbols |url=https://www.azernews.az/region/220731.html |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=Azernews.Az |language=en}}</ref> He drew parallels to the ban on the [[Swastika]], claiming that both symbols represent something dangerous.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nilsson |first=Johannes |date=2024-01-23 |title=C rasar mot Jomshof: ”Hatpredikan” - Nyheter Idag |url=https://nyheteridag.se/c-rasar-mot-jomshof-hatpredikan/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=Nyheter Idag - Du vet att vi behövs! |language=sv-SE}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-22 |title=Jomshof: Förbjud halvmånar likt hakkors |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/O8vlVl |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=www.aftonbladet.se |language=sv}}</ref>
In January 2024, Jomshof ignited controversy in Sweden by proposing the prohibition of the Islamic [[star and crescent]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ericson |first=Adrian |date=2024-01-22 |title=Strömmers svar: ”Det är inte aktuellt” |url=https://www.svd.se/a/4o9rPV/jomshof-forbjud-halvmanar-offentligt |access-date=2024-01-24 |work=Svenska Dagbladet |language=sv |issn=1101-2412}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-23 |title=Swedish Democrats come up with proposal to ban Islamic symbols |url=https://www.azernews.az/region/220731.html |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=Azernews.Az |language=en |archive-date=24 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124174101/https://www.azernews.az/region/220731.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He drew parallels to the ban on the [[Swastika]], claiming that both symbols represent something dangerous.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nilsson |first=Johannes |date=2024-01-23 |title=C rasar mot Jomshof: ”Hatpredikan” - Nyheter Idag |url=https://nyheteridag.se/c-rasar-mot-jomshof-hatpredikan/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=Nyheter Idag - Du vet att vi behövs! |language=sv-SE}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-22 |title=Jomshof: Förbjud halvmånar likt hakkors |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/O8vlVl |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=www.aftonbladet.se |language=sv}}</ref>


=== Opinions on other politicians ===
=== Opinions on other politicians ===

Revision as of 17:48, 16 September 2024

Richard Jomshof
SD
Richard Jomshof during the Almedalen Week in July 2016
Secretary-General of the Sweden Democrats
In office
11 January 2015 – 17 October 2022
LeaderJimmie Åkesson
Preceded byBjörn Söder
Succeeded byMattias Bäckström Johansson
Member of the Riksdag
Incumbent
Assumed office
11 September 2014
ConstituencyBlekinge County
In office
19 September 2010 – 11 September 2014
ConstituencyGävleborg County
Personal details
Born
Richard Johannes Lohikoski

(1969-07-06) 6 July 1969 (age 55)
Helsingborg, Sweden
Political partySweden Democrats
SpouseLinda Jomshof
Alma materMalmö University
Lund University

Richard Johannes Jomshof, né Lohikoski, (born 6 July 1969 in Helsingborg) is a Swedish politician affiliated with the Sweden Democrats (SD) party and former pop musician. He served as Secretary-General of the Sweden Democrats from 2015 to 2022 and has been a Member of the Riksdag since September 2010. In 2022, he was appointed as chairman of the Justice Committee in the Riksdag.

Biography

Jomshof was born in 1969 in Helsingborg to a Swedish mother and a Finnish father.[1] He studied history and social studies at Malmö University before attending the university's affiliated teacher training college and subsequently worked as a primary school and then a secondary school teacher.[2] As a teacher, Jomshof was according to himself dismissed from two jobs for being part of Sweden Democrats.[3]

After his teaching studies, Jomshof became a musician, co-founding and playing in the Swedish synthpop band Elegant Machinery. In a 2013 interview with Side-Line, he spoke about his involvement in SD and what effect it has had on Elegant Machinery.[4] When asked what he thought had improved in Sweden the latest 20 years, he said it was the music.[5]

Political career

Jomshof's original political background was in the Moderate Youth League and he had also previously voted for the Swedish Social Democratic Party. He first became active in SD in the late 1990s. During the 2009 European Parliament election, Jomshof stood on the SD's list but was not elected.[2] Since the 2010 Swedish general election, Jomshof represents the Gävleborg constituency in the Riksdag.[6] He was also responsible for drafting the SD's education policies in the party manifesto ahead of the 2010 election.[2]

In 2012, he succeeded Kent Ekeroth as SD's spokesman on legal affairs, and in January 2015 he was elected as party secretary, succeeding Björn Söder.[7] In 2021, he was appointed the SD's spokesman on education policy.[8]

Following the 2022 Swedish general election, Jomshof was appointed chairman of the Justice Committee in the Riksdag.[9] In September 2024, he temporarily stepped down as chair of the Justice Committee after Swedish police announced an investigation into whether two Tweets made by Jomshof sharing caricatures of Muslims as villains constituted a hate crime.[10]

Political beliefs

Domestic politics

Jomshof has served as the SD's policy spokesman on school policies. He has called for teachers to take on non-pedagogical tasks while increasing the number of nurses and mental health councilors working with schools. He also believes Swedish should remain the official language within the state school system. Jomshof also said that he previously was a political liberal and that much of his current beliefs and decision to join the SD were formed after working in Swedish schools in the late 1980s and stating that he was already witnessing issues surrounding discipline, language and cultural segregation between immigrants and Swedes.[2] Jomshof has called for a more restrictive immigration policy.

Foreign policy

Jomshof is a supporter of Israeli politics and has visited the country and posed with the Israeli flag on several occasions.[11][12][13] On 31 October 2023, he wished IDF "good hunting" in its war against Hamas, which sparked criticism in Swedish media.[14][15]

Opinions on Islam

Jomshof has received media attention for his statements about Islam and Muslim immigration to Sweden and has been accused of Islamophobia by political opponents, but has claimed he is not opposed to immigrants.[16][17][18][19]

During a speech in the Swedish parliament in 2013, Jomshof said that Islam, unlike Christianity, is immoral and violent. During the same speech he compared Islam to Nazism and claimed that they both have no place in Western society.[20] In 2021, Jomshof appeared on a Swedish TV show Sverige möts, where he allegedly called Islam a "disgusting religion." His remarks drew media attention and he was subsequently criticized by Moderate leader Ulf Kristersson and former Swedish prime minister Stefan Löfven. Jomshof later stated that his comments had been misinterpreted and taken out of context.[21] In 2023, in response to a call by the Muslim Association of Sweden for dialogue over the 2023 Quran burnings in Sweden, Jomshof controversially tweeted that there was a need for dialogue over "how we democratise the Muslim world," calling Islam an "antidemocratic, violence-promoting and misogynistic religion/ideology" and calling Muhammad a "warlord, mass-murderer, slave trader and bandit."[22]

In January 2024, Jomshof ignited controversy in Sweden by proposing the prohibition of the Islamic star and crescent.[23][24] He drew parallels to the ban on the Swastika, claiming that both symbols represent something dangerous.[25][26]

Opinions on other politicians

Jomshof was involved in a controversial polemic against MP Daniel Riazat (Left Party) in 2024. He asserted that the latter, of Iranian origin, should leave Sweden, calling him "a disgrace to the Iranian diaspora". He then claims that Daniel Riazat refuses to shake hands with women in Parliament, insinuating that this is for religious reasons, although a video shows the opposite. Moreover, Riazat is not a Muslim. On social networks, his comments led to a wave of racist insults against Daniel Riazat.[27]

References

  1. ^ "SD:n Richard Jomshof uskoo äänimäärän kaksinkertaistuvan". Sisuradio (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d Orrenius, Niklas (16 October 2005). "Sparkad för sina åsikter". Sydsvenskan. Archived from the original on 22 November 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  3. ^ "SD-lärare tar plats i riksdagen". Skolvärlden. 28 September 2010. Archived from the original on 10 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  4. ^ "Elegant Machinery's Richard Jomshof speaks out on being a member of the Sverigedemokraterna". Side-Line. Archived from the original on 6 September 2013.
  5. ^ Liljestrand, Jens (8 April 2015). "En udda fågel bland Sverigedemokraterna". No. 8 Apr 2015. Expressen. Archived from the original on 7 July 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  6. ^ "Val till riksdagen - Valda - Gävleborgs län". val.se. 23 September 2010. Archived from the original on 25 September 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  7. ^ Taylor, Adam (27 January 2015). "Swedish far-right leader says Islamism is a bigger threat than Nazism". Washington Post. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  8. ^ "Hela listan – SD:s nya talespersoner". Altinget.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 4 March 2022.[permanent dead link‍]
  9. ^ "Sweden: Right-wing party get 4 chairmanships in parliament". Associated Press. 1 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  10. ^ Löfgren, Emma (13 September 2024). "Sweden Democrat justice committee chair steps down over hate crime suspicion". The Local Sweden. Archived from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  11. ^ "Jag är nationalist, men också en stor vän av Israel. Och?".
  12. ^ ""Judiske" mannen på SD:s valvaka var ingen jude". Dagen (in Swedish). 18 September 2014. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  13. ^ Byström, Ingrid (22 May 2023). "(+) SD-toppar besökte Israel – mötte Knessetledamöter". www.varldenidag.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Jomshof önskar Israels militär "Good Hunting"". www.aftonbladet.se (in Swedish). 2 November 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  15. ^ Nilsson, Johannes (1 November 2023). "Jomshof önskar Israels armé "god jaktlycka" – då rasar Ramberg - Nyheter Idag". Nyheter Idag - Du vet att vi behövs! (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  16. ^ Orrenius, Niklas (16 October 2005). "Sparkad för sina åsikter". Sydsvenskan. Archived from the original on 22 November 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  17. ^ "10 islamofobiska uttalanden från Richard Jomshof (SD)". Dagens ETC (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  18. ^ SKMA (16 May 2022). "Hatet mot muslimer speglar kärnan i det sverigedemokratiska projektet". Svenska kommittén mot antisemitism (SKMA) (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  19. ^ Nilsson, Erik (13 May 2022). ""Varför skulle det vara islamofobiskt?"". Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). ISSN 1101-2412. Archived from the original on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  20. ^ "Allmänpolitisk debatt 16 oktober 2013"". Riksdagen. 16 October 2013. Archived from the original on 7 November 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  21. ^ "Jomshof står fast vid uttalandet: "Ja, islam är en avskyvärd religion"". TV4. 12 March 2021. Archived from the original on 7 November 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  22. ^ "Opposition calls for Sweden Democrat to resign over Mohammed tweet". The Local Sweden. 27 July 2023. Archived from the original on 29 July 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  23. ^ Ericson, Adrian (22 January 2024). "Strömmers svar: "Det är inte aktuellt"". Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). ISSN 1101-2412. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  24. ^ "Swedish Democrats come up with proposal to ban Islamic symbols". Azernews.Az. 23 January 2024. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  25. ^ Nilsson, Johannes (23 January 2024). "C rasar mot Jomshof: "Hatpredikan" - Nyheter Idag". Nyheter Idag - Du vet att vi behövs! (in Swedish). Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  26. ^ "Jomshof: Förbjud halvmånar likt hakkors". www.aftonbladet.se (in Swedish). 22 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  27. ^ "Richard Jomshof blir upprörd och vägrar svara på frågor". www.aftonbladet.se (in Swedish). 27 February 2024.

Sources

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