Response to interpellation 2023/24:588 on the situation in Gaza

Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! I have been asked how serious the situation in Gaza must become before I demand a permanent ceasefire and what measures I and the government are prepared to take to put pressure on Israel to comply with international humanitarian law both in Gaza and in the West Bank.

I share the questioner's deep concern for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which is catastrophic. The entire population is judged to suffer from acute insecure food supply, and according to experts, famine may be imminent in northern Gaza. The situation is unsustainable and must be improved immediately.

The Government wants to see an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. It is a priority that we share with a very large part of the international community and which we believe is the most pressing matter to focus on. The Government welcomes that the UN Security Council adopted resolution 2728, which requires an immediate ceasefire during the remainder of Ramadan to be respected by all parties and which should be able to lead to a sustainable and lasting ceasefire. We urge the parties to follow and implement the Security Council's decision.

We welcome the continued efforts being made by not least Egypt, Qatar and the USA for a ceasefire. Remaining people held hostage must be released immediately and unconditionally, humanitarian aid must be provided in a safe manner and in sufficient quantity to reach those in need, and regional tension levels need to be eased.

Swedish humanitarian aid to Gaza has increased by just over 400 million kronor since October. Sweden is also one of the largest donors of core funding to several of the humanitarian organizations that, under extremely difficult conditions, work to save lives and create conditions for survival in Gaza. A payment of 200 million kronor to UNRWA has been carried out. The payment is made in light of the acute humanitarian needs and against the background that UNRWA intends to implement measures for strengthened scrutiny and control. Further payments will become relevant later in the year based on what progress is made in these areas. At Sweden's initiative, a very large number of EU countries have sharpened their messages to Israel regarding the necessity of significantly improved humanitarian access. More aid must reach more people, and immediately.

The Government welcomes the conclusions adopted by the European Council in March and has consistently, bilaterally, through the EU and in the UN, urged all sides to respect international humanitarian law and protect the civilian population. The high number of civilian deaths raises serious questions.

The Government supports the adoption of EU sanctions against extremist settlers on the West Bank. It is important that the EU in this way marks the seriousness with which we view that Israel does not take the promised measures against extremist settlers who commit acts of violence.

The Government supports the international efforts being made for a resumed process towards a negotiated two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine can coexist in peace and security.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Ola Möller (S)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Foreign Minister Billström for the answer.

I note that there are small shifts in the government's positions. I welcome that, of course, but the problem is that the small shifts de facto still become steps behind, because the development is so rapid and alarming in Gaza. Reality is changing now at a pace that many probably did not think could happen. What we see with temporary ceasefires is no longer enough. We must achieve a permanent ceasefire.

This interpellation was submitted six weeks ago, at a stage when the situation was different. At that time, the decisions that the minister refers to had not been made. My questions must therefore be seen in the light of the fact that six weeks have passed.

Now enough must be enough. It even stood on the front pages of The Independent yesterday. Even large media and large groups in the West now realize that enough is enough. Then the Swedish government should also be able to step up.

The question is where to begin such a debate, for how are we to relate to the fact that 100 percent of the population in Gaza is exposed to famine - a man-made famine? I believe that one must take it from a principled basis.

This is nothing new. It is not the first time in history that imperialist colonial powers and superpowers have used famine as a weapon. We have seen it with Britain in Ireland in the 1800s and Britain in India in the 40s. We saw Stalin use it in the 30s and Mao use it in the 50s and 60s.

This follows a tradition where a powerful majority in an imperialistic spirit uses starvation as a weapon. This time, it is unique in that perspective that 100 percent of the population is in an open-air prison and is actively being starved - while aid stands outside and waits! The aid is being blocked, even though the International Court of Justice, ICJ, has said that the border crossings should be opened.

Now Biden called and put pressure on Israel, and it is now said that a bit more shall be opened. The problem is that the people who are to deliver the aid were actively bombed by Israel during the week. Israel dared to say that it could have been a mistake, despite the fact that it is the conflict where the most aid workers ever have died, journalists as well, in such a short time. To then say "let in the aid" becomes ineffective if one actively kills aid workers.

It is also a long tradition to bomb. We have seen Great Britain do it a number of times. We have seen the bombings of Dresden. We have seen the carpet bombings in Hanoi. We have seen Russia's grotesque bombings in Grozny. This follows a tradition where Western powers and imperialist powers take it upon themselves to bomb and starve populations in order to subdue them. It is clear that the West and also the other imperialist states choose not to raise this, for then one would also cast light on one's own history.

This is a principled point in the sense that we must see the Israeli actions in the light of what we ourselves have committed over the years. It then also becomes logical and understandable that one allows Israel to continue.

It must be our task to stop this. Sweden does not have this tradition, and therefore I would have wished that we would stand at the forefront and say "enough is enough" and take the lead in this and demand a permanent ceasefire.

Therefore, I want to ask the question again to Minister Billström: When does the Minister think a permanent ceasefire should be achieved, and when does the Foreign Minister think the massacre should end?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Nadja Awad (V)

Mr. Speaker! I stand here completely devastated inside after having seen images, videos, and testimonies and statements that tell us that the occupying power Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. Israel is the most violent and barbaric criminal in the world right now.

Sweden's government is doing absolutely nothing to distance itself from Israel's violations of international law and to stop the ongoing genocide. This government does not show at all the resistance required for Israel to be confirmed that Sweden does not accept the genocide that is currently taking place against the Palestinians.

The Foreign Minister and this government cannot say that there is a lack of information about what is actually happening, Mr. Speaker. The real figure of murdered Palestinians in Gaza is approaching 50,000. At least 15,000 of them are children. Even if we think it is obvious that Israel is committing a genocide against the Palestinians, the International Court of Justice and the UN rapporteur also say that there is a great risk that Israel is committing a genocide.

It is confirmed that Israel deliberately and systematically prevents humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. 2.1 million Palestinians are starving right now, and the mass famine is forcing Palestinians to eat grass. Small children are dying of starvation. Right now, emergency aid is being dropped from the air, when it could actually enter at ground level, which has led to Palestinians drowning and being killed when they have tried to reach the aid.

It has also been confirmed that Israel murders, attacks and imprisons journalists from Gaza. Aid workers are not spared either.

It has also been confirmed that Israel forces Palestinian women to undergo cesarean sections without anesthesia and that injured children are amputated without pain relief because Israel does not allow necessary medicine in. It has also been established that an escalating number of rape offenses were committed by Israeli soldiers against Palestinian women in Gaza.

Israel conducts raids and attacks civilian buildings such as refugee camps, schools, and hospitals. No one has escaped Israel's total massacre in the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza. Palestinians waiting for food in queues are attacked and murdered by Israel's military. The controversial chemical substance white phosphorus has been used indiscriminately by Israel in their military attacks. Saja Junaid, four years old, had her entire face burned by Israel's use of chemical weapons. In a number of clips, it is also seen how Israeli soldiers in Gaza joke and pose with underwear belonging to Palestinian women.

One can actually ask oneself whether the Israeli military are people in military clothes or a bunch of monsters, because with the information we have had confirmed and the crimes we have witnessed in 180 days, it can only be monsters.

Only people without heart and brain, who have totally dehumanized the victims, can allow Israel to continue with its crimes. Therefore, my question to Foreign Minister Tobias Billström is: What is the Swedish government doing to demand a stop to the occupation power Israel's mass murder of Palestinians?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro (S)

Mr. Speaker! 14,000 children have been killed, surely more. These are staggering figures that do not raise questions but rather anger and sorrow. There are no more questions to ask. It is an inhuman suffering that we see in Gaza right now, and it is Israel and the Netanyahu government that are the primary reason why peace is out of reach. In view of this, Tobias Billström and the government should summon the Israeli ambassador and convey their condemnations of what is happening in Gaza right now.

I remember when it was debated whether Israel had shelled a hospital or not. Now there are no hospitals left in Gaza. I remember when questions were raised about whether the hundreds of children just happened to end up in the line of fire or if they were de facto human shields. Now 14,000 children have been killed.

Gaza is nothing less than hell on earth - a hell that the rest of the world has created. The conflict between Israel and Palestine is complex and one of the world's longest conflicts. Countless attempts have been made to reach peace, and countless agreements have been signed by both Israel and Palestine to get there.

The different wars have been many, but we Social Democrats have always stood up for a two-state solution with two states living side by side peacefully. Since 1998, the PLO and the Palestinian Authority have stood up for a two-state solution and thereby recognized the state of Israel, and so does Fatah, which still rules the West Bank.

Despite this, Israel continued with the occupation and its settlement policy, which led up to the Oslo Accords in 1995 when Israel again promised to end the occupation and end its settlement policy. But that did not happen.

Israel occupies East Jerusalem and the West Bank today, and in a legal sense, they also occupy the Gaza Strip because they control its borders. The Israeli occupation entails great suffering for the Palestinian civilian population, and this has continued without any consequences whatsoever from the rest of the world. The world has watched while Palestinians have been displaced from their homes and while international law, international humanitarian law, and human rights have been violated day in and day out by the Israeli state.

Palestinians cannot even enjoy the same rights as Israelis in Israel, something that the Israeli organization B'Tselem has reported on countless times. The occupation of Palestine is illegal. Israel violates international law, and this is the biggest obstacle to peace between Israel and Palestine.

If one now stands up for a two-state solution, which the government says it does, Mr. Speaker, it must be shown in action, but the government cannot even manage to condemn the bombing in Gaza. It cannot manage to stand up for the State of Palestine, but instead states that the recognition of the state was a mistake. It has withdrawn aid to Palestine on quite arbitrary grounds. It has hesitated to vote for a ceasefire in the UN. It conducts no dialogue with the Israeli government regarding a ceasefire. And then one deletes the Israel-Palestine strategy and instead incorporates it into the Middle East strategy without mentioning the word occupation a single time.

If one is to stand up for a two-state solution, Mr. Speaker, action is required. It is action that must be shown by Foreign Minister Billström - political action - but the government has not done that at all. What does the Foreign Minister intend to do to work for a two-state solution to bring an end to Israel's illegal occupation of Palestine?

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Ida Ekeroth Clausson (S)

Mr. Speaker! "Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world - - - the General Assembly proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights."

Thus begins the preamble to the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted in 1948.

Article 1 says: "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."

Article 2 states: "Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this declaration without distinction of any kind, such as on grounds of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status."

Article 5 says: "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."

Mr. Speaker! Do the residents of Gaza belong to the human race? Yes, of course they do, but no one can claim that human rights are currently prevailing in Gaza.

Sweden has for a long time been a global voice. We have stood up for that states should follow the resolutions decided by the UN and that accountability should be demanded when states choose not to follow them.

On the front page of The Independent, it was possible to read this week, loosely translated: The time has come to do everything necessary to force Israel to end its war. It must stop.

This is required to uphold international law and humanity. Of course, it would have been good if it had been done earlier. My colleague Ola Möller has asked the relevant question to the Foreign Minister regarding how serious the situation in Gaza must become before he demands a permanent ceasefire, as well as what measures the Minister and the government are prepared to take to pressure Israel to follow established international humanitarian law both in Gaza and in the West Bank. I also wonder about that.

I cannot understand how a state that claims to be the Middle East's only democracy can get away with deviating from humanitarian law. There is no defense for Hamas's massacre in October, Israel naturally has the right to defend itself and the hostages must be released. But even war has laws. Are these being followed now?

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Azra Muranovic (S)

Mr. Speaker! As you know, I usually stand here and speak about the children in Gaza. We are now at 2 percent of Gaza's child population who have either been killed or injured, and thousands more can die of starvation in the near future. What the rest of the world has allowed to happen to the Palestinian children is inexcusable.

We just spoke, in another interpellation debate, about the genocide in Srebrenica, a process that began spontaneously but was then carried out systematically when it was seen that it could be done because the outside world could not protect the civilian population.

Today, there are UN bodies on the ground in Gaza, and they testify to what is happening to the children. Other human rights organizations, aid organizations, and relief organizations that are on the ground testify to the same thing. They are also victims. We have journalists who testify to what is happening. They are also being shot at.

War has laws, but none of these laws are followed by Israel. This is allowed to continue. One lets it roll on. Everyone can see in their phones what is happening to Gaza's children and population. One does not need to look, it is enough to open TikTok and the videos will appear. One does not even need to search for it anymore. Still, it is allowed that 2 percent of Gaza's child population has been killed or injured. We have allowed it to happen.

Several doctors have testified that children admitted to the emergency department are targets. We have been able to read in The Guardian that children are actually victims not only of bombs but also of snipers who shoot children.

It is rubble, diseases, thirst and starvation. No other conflict in the entire world in recent years has had this proportionality regarding the children. And several of us - I am one of them - will ask ourselves how this could happen, how we could allow it to happen.

I want to ask a question given how this government reacted when Hamas carried out its horrific terror attack, which must be condemned. Naturally, the hostages must be released. But given the government's strong reactions then and given the Foreign Minister's own statements on proportionality, I wonder how the Foreign Minister would act if it were the other way around, if it were Israel's population in Gaza that the Palestinians starved and bombed and if they shot at the children. How would the Foreign Minister act within their area then?

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues to deepen with unimaginable human suffering. Thousands of children have been killed, and others have lost their parents. Several cases have been reported of small children dying of malnutrition, and the entire population is judged to be suffering from acute insecure food supply.

The independent experts in the Famine Review Committee stated in the latest IPC report, which constitutes a central knowledge base for the UN system and the humanitarian actors, that the threshold for famine, which in everyday speech is called starvation, is expected to be exceeded in the northern parts of Gaza during the next two months. They point to a clear risk for the same development in the central and southern parts in the slightly longer term. The report confirms that the humanitarian situation is acute and that humanitarian access must increase, as well as that an immediate humanitarian ceasefire must be achieved.

The situation is unsustainable and unacceptable. The international community must increase the pressure on the parties. The Government continues to push for a humanitarian ceasefire and increased humanitarian access. Both are necessary to meet the imminent risk of famine.

We welcome that all EU countries at last month's European Council were able to unite behind a common position for a ceasefire and that the UN Security Council last week, for the first time, agreed on a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire during the remainder of Ramadan, which should be able to lead to a sustainable and lasting ceasefire. It was a step forward. The resolution is also clear that the hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally and that all obstacles to humanitarian access must be lifted, so that extensive humanitarian aid can reach the civilian population. There is therefore broad support in the international community for an immediate ceasefire, and Sweden and the Swedish government therefore support this.

At the same time, it should be noted that neither the UN Security Council nor the European Council uses the term permanent ceasefire without referring to a phased process where an immediate humanitarian pause or ceasefire, including the release of hostages, shall lead towards a more sustainable and lasting agreement. It is an approach that the government supports.

The Security Council's resolutions must be complied with. It is regrettable that this has not occurred. The Government urges the parties to act in accordance with the Security Council's requirements. It is simultaneously central that Egypt, Qatar and the USA continue their efforts to achieve an agreement between the parties.

Sweden recently took the initiative at Intermarche in Israel, which was led by the EU and where about thirty countries participated. It is Israel's obligation, according to international humanitarian law, to contribute to safe and unimpeded humanitarian access. The entry of food, water, medicines, and other necessities must increase. More aid must reach more people without delay.

We have very clearly expressed our expectation that Israel does more to facilitate significantly larger volumes of humanitarian aid entering Gaza. It is about concrete changes such as opening up for more land crossings, ensuring faster and more efficient screening at the border, and not least granting permits so that humanitarian personnel and transports can move safely in all parts of Gaza, especially in the north where the needs are most acute.

It is entirely possible for Israel to act immediately on these points, and in the acute situation that prevails, concrete action is required. We have conveyed this with great clarity, and we are prepared to further sharpen this message.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Ola Möller (S)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Foreign Minister Billström for another speech pointing out the problems that exist.

I want to take hold of the last thing he said, namely that we are prepared to further sharpen this message. In that case, I have a number of proposals that I think we need to put on the table and not just talk about but utilize, because we are indeed prepared to direct sanctions against extreme settlers. When shall we start demanding that those who are responsible for the crimes against humanity committed in Gaza, and which now appear to be committing genocide, should be subject to sanctions? They should surely not be allowed to move freely in the EU.

Therefore, we should clearly state that no arms shipments should go to Israel if they do not stop. We should directly say that we are not interested in academic and cultural exchanges with Israel if they do not follow the international legal system's ruling.

One should also be able to take advantage of the fact that no-fly zones have been used in other conflicts. It is from the air that death rains down, except when it is, for example, snipers or artillery shells that bomb the children in Gaza. Introduce a no-fly zone over the State of Palestine, which Sweden has de facto recognized! Israel is violating their airspace and territory. There we should be able to act directly. And we can do that unilaterally or multilaterally with those willing in a coalition who want to help stop this. There are plenty of countries in the EU and the rest of the world that would gladly step up for operations.

I understand that the Foreign Minister, within the framework of his role, takes into account what the European Council says, how the UN Security Council acts, and that one needs to include many. It is a fine trust in the international system's ability to act together. But it is not enough in this situation, because one party, Israel, does not care about the international system. They are putting the rules-based world order at stake and out of play. If we do not step in and act there now, it is gone. It does not exist, it is not there.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs will not be able to stand here even once, Mr. Speaker, and say that Russia violates international law and that there is a rules-based world order that Russia violates. If Israel is not to follow it, there is no other party in the world that we can demand it from, because Israel is, after all, according to what everyone says, the Middle East's only democracy. Then they should be at the forefront.

A number of years ago, I was asked by the Israeli ambassador why we are unfair towards Israel in the world around them. My answer to the Israeli ambassador then was: Because Israel, according to them themselves, is a democracy, and then one must also act as a democracy. But that is not what Israel is doing in Gaza today.

It is time now. I do not want to hear what the European Council and the UN Security Council think. I want to hear what Sweden's Foreign Minister thinks. When does Tobias Billström think the limit has been reached? It is the state of Sweden that I have expectations of. It is the one that I, as a Member of Parliament, can influence, and I have higher demands on our country than that we should just follow the flock. We are not sheep standing and waiting in line. We shall be the lion for international law and international law that we have always been. Take that role, Billström! We have given the minister that mandate from here before. Show what Sweden can do!

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Nadja Awad (V)

Mr. Speaker! The government must stop letting Israel get away with a genocide. Enough is enough! I do not want to hear any weak statements from Sweden's Foreign Minister. What sanctions is the government pursuing against Israel? Which contacts have been broken? Push for an international arrest warrant against Netanyahu and the Israeli state leadership! It is the obvious thing for a government to do when an occupying power like Israel commits genocide - not to defend and finance it. All actions by this right-wing government show that they are doing so.

The government was quick to defend Israel's crimes and call them proportionate. On several occasions, the government even refrained from voting for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The government also chose to join Nato, with the USA at the forefront, which sends billion-dollar packages to Israel. The current government's own representatives travel with Swedish tax money to visit Israel's illegal settlements. Millions of Palestinians were arbitrarily punished by the government when it withdrew the aid. They have forsaken, totally forsaken, all the Swedish citizens who are trapped in Gaza and who have been murdered by Israel.

The government can show solidarity with Ukraine due to Russia's invasion and occupation, but it is completely impossible for it to show the same solidarity with Palestine and the Palestinian people. What kind of loathsome, racist view of humanity is it, when one makes a distinction between people in this way?

I have no more questions to ask the Foreign Minister. I just want to say that the right-wing government will go down in history as the government that defended and financed an ongoing genocide. It has the Palestinians' blood on its hands, and it will be judged harshly for that. I long for the day when this government is held to account!

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro (S)

Mr. Speaker! The reason I highlighted the occupation in my question was that what is happening in Gaza right now is not the first war between Palestine and Israel. This is not the first time we have read about dead Palestinian children. Nor is it the first time Israelis have been subjected to acts of terrorism.

When we are to find a solution to this situation, Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian land is one of the root causes of why people cannot live peacefully side by side. Israel has repeatedly violated international law and also violates human rights. Clear condemnations and positions are required for any change to occur between Israel and Palestine. A two-state solution cannot just be words that one carelessly throws out, it must mean something. One must take initiative!

The question has been raised here before, and I also wonder what Sweden, Foreign Minister Billström and the government are doing to safeguard and work for a two-state solution. States such as Russia, China and Qatar - which are not the most democratic in the world - will otherwise be those who define the peace that arises. I can almost promise that the extremists will then remain in Israel and Palestine and that we will time and again have to come back here and talk about dead Palestinian children and dead Israeli children. I do not want to do that. What does Foreign Minister Billström intend to do to safeguard democracy in Palestine and Israel and ensure that there becomes a two-state solution?

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Ida Ekeroth Clausson (S)

Mr. Speaker! 37 mothers have been killed every day since October 7. The number of miscarriages has tripled. The Guardian writes that this is not a normal war. The article continues with an interview with a doctor who describes children she has treated in Gaza. She says: The children could not speak. They lay literally like vegetables on those beds. They were not the only ones. I also saw small children with direct sniper shots in the head as well as in the chest. They were not combatants – they were small children.

Children make up more than one-third of all the people killed in Israel's now six-month-long attack on Gaza. Tens of thousands more young people have suffered serious injuries, including amputations. Doctors say that a child, 14-year-old Ruwa, was shot dead outside a hospital when she went to fetch water. They say that there were no battles in the area at the time and that she was killed by a single shot. In Gaza City, three-year-old Emad was shot dead outside his home when he went to buy fruit together with his cousin Hadeel, a 20-year-old medical student, who was also killed.

Mr. Speaker! Were Ruwa, Emad and Hadeel not human beings? Were they not covered by human rights?

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Azra Muranovic (S)

Mr. Speaker! One thing that has made me incredibly proud to be a Swedish citizen is the long tradition Sweden has had of always standing on the side of international law. It means that one does not choose who is considered a victim based on how one views that person politically. A human being is a human being, a civilian is a civilian, and a child can never be a target. Never!

After Hamas's horrific terror attack, the government was incredibly quick to arbitrarily withdraw UNRWA's support. They scrapped the Palestine strategy before that. They were also incredibly quick to speak about how Israel has the right to defend itself – and they do, according to international law. They also have a duty and a great responsibility as the Middle East's only democracy – as my colleague Ola Möller and many of us have pointed out that they are – to actually follow the laws of democracy and especially the international humanitarian laws. Then you do not shell aid workers or journalists, and you absolutely do not shell children.

I also want to take note of what was said earlier about that the government is prepared to do more. What is the government prepared to do so that children will stop being targets? They are being fired upon by a government in Israel that completely ignores what the rest of the world says and continues to run its race. What is the Foreign Minister prepared to do to prevent this?

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! Just as Azra Muranovic just mentioned, we must not forget that Hamas's terrorist act on October 7 continues to be a trauma for Israel, its population, and Jews all over the world, even in Sweden. Hamas bears a heavy responsibility for the catastrophic situation in Gaza through its actions.

The government is proactive in the work to prepare further EU sanctions against Hamas, partly due to the sexual violence in connection with the attacks on October 7, partly to further circumvent the organization's capacity and financing.

Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas, but this must take place within the framework of international law and international humanitarian law. The number of civilians who have been killed and injured in the war in Gaza is very large. It continues to increase. The extent of the consequences of the warfare for the civilian population raises more and more serious questions about compliance with international humanitarian law.

In this context, I want to remind that Israel is obliged to comply with the International Court of Justice's decision on provisional measures. The Court has also addressed Hamas with demands that the hostages be released. It is a demand that Sweden, together with the rest of the EU, repeats with determination. Hamas's use of civilians as human shields must also cease.

In Rafah in southern Gaza, over 1 million people have sought shelter. An Israeli ground offensive there would, in the current situation, have extensive and devastating humanitarian consequences. The European Council's conclusions in March sent a clear appeal to Israel not to carry out such military operations in Rafah that would worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian situation. Civilians must always be protected.

The efforts for a humanitarian ceasefire need to continue. It is about saving lives in Gaza. But a lack of a ceasefire also implies a risk of spillover effects at a regional level. Regionally, the situation remains very tense at the border between Israel and Lebanon, with recurring shelling of targets in both directions. The last few days' Israeli attacks against targets in Syria, even in connection with Iran's embassy in Damascus, can contribute to increased escalation.

On the West Bank, frequent clashes are occurring between Israeli security forces and Palestinians. Extremist settlers' attacks against civilians take place without virtually any legal consequences for the perpetrators. It is unacceptable. I welcome that the EU has reached a political agreement to introduce sanctions against extremist settlers and that a formal adoption is expected to take place later this month. The European Council condemned the decisions recently made regarding further settlement expansions. Sweden and the EU consistently point out that the settlement policy violates international law, contributes to increased tensions, and undermines the conditions for a negotiated two-state solution.

As was said here earlier by Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro, the task for the EU, including Sweden, is to continue to be a strong voice for a negotiated two-state solution where Israel and Palestine can coexist in peace and security. A close dialogue with the USA, regional representatives, and other key actors on how we can jointly work towards this goal is indispensable. The Swedish government's clear view is, furthermore, that no other alternative than a two-state solution is possible. A sustainable and peaceful path forward requires the commitment of Israel and Palestine, but on their own, they will not be able to reach a peace agreement. The international community needs to push, and the EU has an important role to play in this context.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Ola Möller (S)

Mr. Speaker! The Indian author Pankaj Mishra recently wrote in an essay that Israel's first prime minister, Ben-Gurion, described the survivors of the Holocaust as human debris. If one has survived a genocide, that is probably the word that should be used. And the people who are in Gaza now will, when this conflict is over, which we hope is soon, be human debris.

Then the question of a two-state solution becomes very complicated. The State of Israel could not be built on mere human scraps; a large number of people belonging to the diaspora or already residing on-site were needed to build it up. This will also be needed in the State of Palestine. Then the question of the refugees' right to return is acute. We must say already now: Of course, the refugees must be allowed to return to the State of Palestine to help build it up, because one cannot build a viable state on human scraps.

I agree with the description of Hamas. Hamas must be condemned. I think the state of Israel must be condemned. Islamic Jihad must be condemned. There are plenty of groups that must be condemned. But it is extremely important that we remember that there are also prisoners in Israel. The children in the Israeli prisons must be released, but that is not what people talk about. The question that my colleague Ida Ekeroth Clausson asks is highly essential: Are the Palestinians human beings? I am convinced that Foreign Minister Billström thinks so. But we must also agree on the challenges and on how difficult it will be to build up the Palestinian state. It is easy to say "two-state solution," but we must also dare to act against Israel with force and support Palestine with equal force.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the engaged participation from everyone in the interpellation debate. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is appalling and affects us all deeply. The large number of civilian casualties, not least children, in the ongoing war is appalling. All innocent civilians are, of course, people who have had to give their lives precisely because they are innocent. On that, I and Member Ola Möller are in complete agreement.

Furthermore, many people suffer from acute malnutrition. There is an imminent risk of famine breaking out, which could lead to even more people dying as a result of the lack of food and clean water and the vulnerability to diseases that additionally follows.

Such a development can be prevented. It requires that the parties agree that the fighting shall cease, at least for a period of time. Whether it is called a humanitarian pause or a ceasefire is of less importance. It also requires that comprehensive humanitarian aid is allowed to enter without hindrance and is distributed in a secure manner. The parties have a responsibility to ensure that this happens by following Security Council resolution 2728. I listened to what Ola Möller said. A distinguishing feature of Swedish foreign policy over the years has been that we respect what the Security Council concludes. We consider the UN to be the most important platform on a global level for this type of dialogue. The European Council's conclusions are also very important in this context. We are not allowed to compromise on them or push them aside.

The international community must continue to push for progress. Sweden and the EU are a clear and strong voice for the importance of respecting international humanitarian law. The Government intends to continue to engage, together with other countries, not least on the issue of humanitarian access, where we have the opportunity to make a difference. Israel has not done and does not do enough for sufficient humanitarian aid to be able to reach those in distress in Gaza. We are firmly determined to push further.

The interpellations debate was hereby concluded.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)