Swedish Embassy Backpedals On Palestinian Statehood Recognition
The Swedish Embassy in Israel appears to have walked back the new prime minister’s declaration that Sweden would recognize a state of Palestine.
In a statement released Sunday evening, the embassy said Sweden will recognize a Palestinian state at the conclusion of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
“The conflict between Israel and Palestine can only be resolved through a two-state solution … negotiated in accordance with the principles of international law,” the statement said. “It must guarantee the legitimate demands of both the Palestinians and the Israelis for national self-determination and security. A two-state solution requires mutual recognition and a will to coexist peacefully. Therefore, Sweden will recognize the State of Palestine.”
The statement was released hours after Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman said he would summon the ambassador from Sweden over the declaration by new Prime Minister Stefan Loven that his government would recognize the state of Palestine. Lofven did not say when Sweden would recognize Palestinian statehood.
Seven European Union members already have recognized a Palestinian state. They are Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland and Romania. Iceland also has recognized a Palestinian state.
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning journalism this Passover.
In this age of misinformation, our work is needed like never before. We report on the news that matters most to American Jews, driven by truth, not ideology.
At a time when newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall. That means for the first time in our 126-year history, Forward journalism is free to everyone, everywhere. With an ongoing war, rising antisemitism, and a flood of disinformation that may affect the upcoming election, we believe that free and open access to Jewish journalism is imperative.
Readers like you make it all possible. Right now, we’re in the middle of our Passover Pledge Drive and we need 500 people to step up and make a gift to sustain our trustworthy, independent journalism.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
Our Goal: 500 gifts during our Passover Pledge Drive!