SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Sweden abstained from UN vote on Israel – faces criticism

When the UN General Assembly voted on the demand that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian areas should cease within twelve months, Sweden abstained from voting. The decision is being criticized by the opposition.

» Updated: October 06 2024

» Published: September 19 2024

Sweden abstained from UN vote on Israel – faces criticism
Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT

New settlements should be stopped, occupied land should be returned, and it should be possible for Palestinians to return, according to the non-binding resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.

Sweden was one of the 43 countries that abstained. 124 voted in favor and 14 against.

V demands debate

"It's very weak, and yet another example of the government's passivity in important international issues", says the Social Democrats' foreign policy spokesperson Morgan Johansson in a written comment to TT.

The Left Party is also critical and will demand a debate in parliament on the issue.

"It's a shame how the Swedish government doesn't want to criticize Israel for anything. Therefore, we in the Left Party demand a current debate in parliament on the matter. All parties need to show whether they believe international law should apply or not, because it's very unclear right now", writes the party's foreign policy spokesperson Håkan Svenneling.

Minister: Creates problems

Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) tells Expressen that Sweden abstained "along with a group of like-minded countries".

Behind the UN resolution lies an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice in The Hague (ICJ), an opinion that Sweden, according to the Foreign Minister, considers correct. But Malmer Stenergard believes that the resolution goes further than the court.

"It includes, among other things, demands for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territory within twelve months – that deadline, we believe, creates problems for a negotiated two-state solution", she says in a written comment to Expressen.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Economists: Higher Tax a Must for Upgrading

Economists: Higher Tax a Must for Upgrading

Explosion south of Stockholm

Explosion south of Stockholm

Filter coffee healthier than automatic coffee

Filter coffee healthier than automatic coffee

Sentenced to Psychiatric Care - Suspected of New Assault

Sentenced to Psychiatric Care - Suspected of New Assault

Warnings of strong winds and snow in the mountains

Warnings of strong winds and snow in the mountains

Sida Pauses New Aid Projects

Sida Pauses New Aid Projects

Hand Grenades Believed to Have Been Stored at Preschool

Hand Grenades Believed to Have Been Stored at Preschool

No Crime Behind Body Find

No Crime Behind Body Find

Preliminary Investigation Against Landerholm Resumed

Preliminary Investigation Against Landerholm Resumed

Foreign Ministry confirms: Six Swedes out of Gaza

Foreign Ministry confirms: Six Swedes out of Gaza

Expensive and complicated with a reduced wolf population

Expensive and complicated with a reduced wolf population

Contact with gangs can be criminalized

Contact with gangs can be criminalized

Child accused of assault – social services investigated

Child accused of assault – social services investigated

The Defense after Trump's Play: USA an Important Partner

The Defense after Trump's Play: USA an Important Partner

The Wait for When the New C-Leader Will Be Elected

The Wait for When the New C-Leader Will Be Elected

Kristersson: The Government Has Not Covered Anything Up

Kristersson: The Government Has Not Covered Anything Up

Court of Appeal changes verdict - man sentenced for partner's death

Court of Appeal changes verdict - man sentenced for partner's death

The Moderate Party wants to increase compensation for conscripts

The Moderate Party wants to increase compensation for conscripts

Kristersson in new meeting on Ukraine support

Kristersson in new meeting on Ukraine support

Traces of concussion remain after a year

Traces of concussion remain after a year

Two Requested to be Detained for Economic Crimes

Two Requested to be Detained for Economic Crimes

Escaped from detention center with stolen vehicle

Escaped from detention center with stolen vehicle

Moderate Women: Women Should be Able to Choose Cesarean Sections

Moderate Women: Women Should be Able to Choose Cesarean Sections

Swedes drink less

Swedes drink less

Swedes do not trust AI or social media

Swedes do not trust AI or social media

Powerful Explosion in Gothenburg – Two Detained

Powerful Explosion in Gothenburg – Two Detained

One Seriously Injured in Crash with Truck

One Seriously Injured in Crash with Truck

Elderly man dies in solo accident

Elderly man dies in solo accident

Landerholm received help with misleading posts

Landerholm received help with misleading posts

Young woman lied about rape – prosecuted

Young woman lied about rape – prosecuted

Police Published Pictures from Inside a Protected Facility

Police Published Pictures from Inside a Protected Facility

Security Service: The Cleaner Received Money from Extremist

Security Service: The Cleaner Received Money from Extremist

The Constitutional Committee Tables Investigation into the Landerholm Affair

The Constitutional Committee Tables Investigation into the Landerholm Affair

Prison sentence after accident where three young people died

Prison sentence after accident where three young people died

Man found dead in fire in Trollhättan – murder investigation underway

Man found dead in fire in Trollhättan – murder investigation underway

Annika Strandhäll switches committee

Annika Strandhäll switches committee

Sweden buys new Archer artillery pieces for Ukraine

Sweden buys new Archer artillery pieces for Ukraine

Now schools will be completely mobile-free

Now schools will be completely mobile-free

Convicted of Girl's Murder Do Not Appeal

Convicted of Girl's Murder Do Not Appeal

The National Association Crisis Closes Down

The National Association Crisis Closes Down