This became clear after a meeting of the Riksdag’s (the Swedish parliament) EU Committee on Friday.
I think this will get international attention, says Morgan Johansson.
At the same time, the red-green parties say the Swedish government should take into account that elections are coming up in Israel and that Sweden is led by a caretaker government.
They agree that they essentially want to stop the trade part of the association agreement. As far as I understand, no one in the EU is actively pushing for this now. That would put us in an extreme position, says Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) after the committee meeting.
"Let's try to play a trick"
The issue is not on the agenda when EU foreign ministers meet in Luxembourg on Monday. Discussions at the Council meeting are expected to focus on the importance of freedom of navigation and the situation around the Strait of Hormuz.
But if the trade agreement comes up, Malmer Stenergard will have to raise Sweden’s new position.
"I will of course do as the Riksdag says and take into account that we are in a caretaker government," she says.
So I guess I’ll have to try to troll based on that.
Morgan Johansson calls it a show of strength by the red-green parties that they were able to agree on the issue. The Center Party submitted a dissenting opinion in the EU Committee, which the other parties joined.
"It is quite clear that a new government, when it takes office, will have a different policy from this government. I believe that this will be welcomed by everyone working to uphold international law and ensure that it applies," says Johansson.
New Middle East policy
He points out that countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and France have become much more active in their criticism of Israel.
That’s the group of countries I think we should be in.
Malmer Stenergard points out that diplomatic relations between Sweden and Israel are at risk of deteriorating.
After Britain banned imports from illegal settlements, Israel responded by ordering the closure of the British consulate in Jerusalem.
I firmly believe that we need a greater presence in Jerusalem, more diplomacy, and that being present in Jerusalem gives us other opportunities to actually help the Palestinian population. That is what I think is most important, says Stenergard.
