Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman decided Thursday to recall Israel’s ambassador to Sweden Isaac Bachman to Jerusalem for consultations to protest Sweden's recognition of a Palestinian state.
Sweden is the first European Union member state to do so.
In a statement, Lieberman said that the Swedish government’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state ‘’is an unfortunate decision which strengthens radical elements and Palestinian recalcitrance.’’
‘’Such measures only serve to bolster the Palestinians' unrealistic demands and delay an agreement.The only way to reach an arrangement between Israel and the Palestinians is for the parties to conduct sincere negotiations,’’ he added.
‘’It is unfortunate that the Swedish government chose to adopt a declarative measure that can cause much damage and bring no benefit. The Swedish government must understand that relations in the Middle East are more complex than one of Ikea's flat-pack pieces of furniture, and would do well to act with greater sensitivity and responsibility,’’ the Foreign Minister stated.
Earlier on Thursday, Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström issued a statement saying Sweden hoped the move will “facilitate a peace agreement by making the parties less unequal, supporting the moderate Palestinian forces and contributing to hope at a time when tensions are increasing and no peace talks are taking place.”
“The purpose of Sweden’s recognition is to contribute to a future in which Israel and Palestine can live side by side in peace and security. We want to contribute to creating more hope and belief in the future among young Palestinians and Israelis who might otherwise run the risk of believing that there is no alternative to the current situation,” she said.
The move in Stockholm comes three weeks after the new Social Democrat-led minority government of Prime Minister Stefan Lofven took power.
Two years ago Lofven’s party reportedly promised that it would recognize “Palestine” if it took over power, as a way of luring the country’s substantial Muslim population to the country’s center and left parties. Muslims make up an estimated 6.5 percent of the population.