Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven recently announced his country’s willingness to recognize a PA (Palestinian Authority) state. This elicited harsh responses from Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who summoned Sweden’s Ambassador to Israel for a clarification, and from Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

Swedish Ambassador to Israel Carl Magnus Nesser on Monday 12 Tishrei released a message clarifying his country’s position, Sweden’s willingness to recognize a Palestinian state after negotiations with Israel. The ambassador stressed recognition of Palestine will not follow a unilateral PA act, as PM Netanyahu stated in his response to PM Lofven, that unilateral acts are contrary to the agreements signed between Israel and the PA. PM Lofven explained he did not intend to immediately recognize such a state, but his country would only do so following talks and agreement between Israel and the PA.

At the time of this report, FM Lieberman has not canceled the planned reprimand despite the clarification statement released to the media.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)