Swedish government increasing pressure on Israel

Let us not forget how the war in Gaza started. On 7 October 2023, Hamas carried out the worst terrorist attack in Israel’s history – a massacre that claimed the lives of around 1 200 people. A further 251 were taken hostage and taken into Gaza.

Those who carelessly compare Israel’s war with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are ignoring one fundamental difference: it was Israel that was attacked by the terrorist organisation Hamas, which gives Israel a far-reaching right to defend itself. Israel also has legitimate goals – to get all the hostages back and eliminate the threat posed by Hamas, whose ultimate aim is to wipe out the State of Israel.

But the manner in which Israel is now conducting this war is unacceptable. After 19 months of bloodshed and conflict in Gaza, the humanitarian suffering is enormous, with tens of thousands of deaths and widespread malnutrition amongst the population. Not least the children of Gaza who are living in a nightmare.

Israel blocked emergency deliveries from getting into Gaza for more than two months. In recent days a limited amount of humanitarian support has resumed but it is nowhere near enough. Blocking the delivery of food and other humanitarian aid to civilians is completely indefensible. In talks with the Israeli Government, the Swedish Government has repeatedly demanded unrestricted humanitarian access and that aid organisations be allowed to operate freely throughout Gaza.

Israel has now launched an expanded military offensive in Gaza, with plans for large-scale forced displacement of civilians. The stated goal is to take control of the entire Gaza strip. The Swedish Government views this development with great concern and has made it clear that Gaza’s territory must not be altered, reduced or annexed. Any such steps would violate international law and will be condemned by Sweden. The same applies if all, or parts of the civilian population, are driven out of Gaza.
 
The Swedish Government is also deeply concerned about the increasing settler violence on the West Bank. According to witnesses, in several of these attacks, Israeli soldiers have protected those attacking the settlers – not the Palestinians being attacked. The widespread lawlessness around the illegal settlements on the West Bank threatens not only the formation of a Palestinian state but also in the long run, the rule of law in Israel. Israel must begin to confront its own extremists. This is ultimately an existential issue for the Middle East’s leading democracy.

The Swedish Government has taken a clear stance, demanding an end to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. We have doubled Swedish humanitarian assistance to Gaza and the region. Sweden has supported demands for a ceasefire, for the unconditional and immediate release of all the Israeli hostages, and that Hamas cannot be part of the future governance of Gaza. Sweden has also pushed for EU sanctions against extremist settlers.

But recent developments require Sweden to take an even tougher line. We are now taking two initiatives to increase pressure on the Israeli Government:

• Sanctions against individual Israeli ministers. Sweden will push to introduce sanctions against extremist ministers who promote illegal settlement policies and actively counteract a future two-state solution. Sweden will also continue to advocate for additional EU sanctions against extremist settlers who commit acts of violence against civilians.
• Review of Israel’s compliance with the EU Association Agreement. The Government supports the European Commission reviewing whether Israel is meeting the human rights obligations outlined in the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

These measures are well-balanced and targeted. Israel clearly has a right to exist and defend itself. But protests are growing even amongst the Israeli population over the nature of the war. Pressure needs to increase on the Israeli Government, not least its extremist ministers. Sweden is doing this together with our EU partners in line with established EU policy. 

At the same time, a united Arab world must exert maximum pressure on Hamas to hand over governance of Gaza to the Palestinian National Authority. We are now seeing people in Gaza openly protesting against Hamas, even though in doing so, they are putting their own lives at risk. Their courage is worthy of respect and admiration. 
 
When you look at the broader picture in the Middle East it is not as gloomy as you may think. There are several openings that could sow the seeds for a whole new Middle East. The brutal regime in Syria has been overthrown after its half a century reign of terror. Lebanon is showing signs of renewal. Talks with Iran over a possible nuclear power agreement are underway. Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have resumed.

With the right engagement from the US and an Arab world willing to shoulder greater responsibility, the region could be transformed in a positive way. A Gaza not governed by Hamas is not an impossibility, it is a necessity. Resuming the process towards a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians does not have to be as far off as one may think. In June, France and Saudi Arabia are hosting a high-level conference on the two-state solution. 

The world must mobilise to make this possible. Pressure for progress needs to increase. Sweden wants to play a proactive role in this process.