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.

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

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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.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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