In response to the Swedish Foreign Minister’s recent biased accusations about Israel, Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister declared that Swedish officials are no longer welcome to visit Israel.
Israel is banning all visits by Swedish diplomats to the Jewish State in response to the Swedish foreign minister’s repeated allegations against Israel and Stockholm’s biased policies.
Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom called for an investigation Tuesday into allegations that Israeli forces have carried out extrajudicial killings in clashes with Palestinians.
“It is vital that there are thorough, credible investigations into these deaths in order to clarify and bring about possible accountability,” Margot Wallstrom told lawmakers.
Her latest offensive statement was made after four months of near-daily Palestinian attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers that have killed 27 people.
Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely stated on Wednesday that Swedish officials are no longer welcome to visit Israel.
“For over two years the relations with Sweden have been at a certain level of detachment,” Hotovely told a group of Israeli foreign ministry cadets during a tour of Judea and Samaria. “That is to say that we refuse visits by the Swedish foreign minister in Israel.”
“In the clearest manner possible, the State of Israel is conveying a very sharp message to Sweden which says: ‘you are backing terror, you are giving ISIS (Islamic State) a tail wind to operate throughout Europe. In Brussels. In Paris. We saw yesterday in Istanbul.”
Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas, with Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom. (AP/TT/ Fredrik Sandberg )
Hotovely explained that Israel is at a period in which it is on the front lines of the fight against terror and “in this context is conveying very sharp messages” to “the sources” who are criticizing Israel for its fight.
She said she viewed such remarks as those made by Wallstron as “a bad mix of stupidity and diplomatic foolishness, and the State of Israel is closing the doors” to Sweden’s official visits in Israel.
More actions by Israel against Sweden are expected.
Regarding Israeli communities in Judea and Samara, Hotovely said they were the West’s front line in the war on regional Islamic terror, and that Israel has no plans to abandon its biblical heartland.
By: Max Gelber, United with Israel
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!