Sweden Declines to Push for EU Revocation of Israel Agreements Amid Human Rights Debate
Sweden will not seek to revoke EU's agreements with Israel, sparking domestic criticism.
Key Points
- • Sweden will not push for the EU to terminate agreements with Israel.
- • Critics argue this undermines Sweden's credibility on human rights.
- • The EU is considering pressure tactics on Israel for a ceasefire.
- • Sweden's government plans to wait for specific proposals from the EU Commission.
Sweden's government has confirmed it will not advocate for the European Union to terminate its association and trade agreements with Israel. This decision was made during a recent EU committee meeting and has sparked criticism domestically regarding Sweden's commitment to human rights, notably from Kerstin Lundgren of the Center Party, who stated that this stance could undermine Sweden's credibility in advocating for human rights issues.
The EU is currently exploring means to exert pressure on Israel for a ceasefire and the release of hostages, with some member states like Spain and Ireland showing greater willingness to challenge Israel compared to Sweden's more measured approach. Despite an uptick in criticism of Israel, voiced particularly by Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard, Sweden has refrained from supporting calls for a repeal of these agreements. Critics such as Matilda Ernkrans from the Social Democrats have indicated that without concrete actions, Sweden's criticisms may fall flat.
The EU's agreements with Israel extend to crucial areas such as trade, research, and technology, which create a complex landscape regarding potential leverage and setting conditions for maintaining these agreements, which require respect for human rights. The Swedish government is awaiting specific proposals from the EU Commission, underscoring the importance of achieving consensus among EU member states on this sensitive issue.