The Government wants the EU to "as soon as possible" freeze the trade part of the cooperation agreement with Israel. Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenegard (The Moderate Party) says that Sweden wants the EU to put more pressure on Israel, and that the Government will be very clear towards the EU Commission on the issue, and also push other countries.
We see how the situation has deteriorated further in July, says Malmer Stenergard.
"Does not live up to"
Using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare constitutes a war crime, notes the Foreign Minister.
She emphasizes that the EU and Israel have had an agreement since July 10 that contains requirements for sufficient emergency aid to be allowed into Gaza immediately.
We had hopes that it would lead to real change on the ground, but we cannot see that Israel lives up to its commitments.
Several countries have pressed for tougher EU measures against Israel. There are calls to pause or even terminate the entire cooperation agreement with Israel. At the same time, there are other countries that are braking.
Pausing the entire cooperation agreement would require unanimity among all countries, something that Sweden does not consider realistic. To pause the parts that concern trade, however, requires "only" a qualified majority. But even that can be difficult to achieve if, for example, Germany or Italy do not give their support.
Israel: "Strengthens Hamas"
Malmer Stenergard emphasizes that Hamas also bears a very heavy responsibility for the situation in Gaza and that the pressure on the terrorist group must increase.
Israel's ambassador Ziv Nevo Kulman tells TV4 that "putting more pressure on Israel with further sanctions only strengthens Hamas at this important time".
We want a ceasefire, we want to see hostages released, we want an end to the war. But Hamas only strengthens its position and of course welcomes the new measures that come from the EU and other Western countries, says the ambassador to the TV channel.
Corrected: In an earlier version of the text, an incorrect statement was made about which agreement should be frozen.
