Response to interpellation 2024/25:732 on the government parties' relations to extremist organizations
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
M argues that the government's policy is based on international law and that Sweden is at the forefront in the EU in pressing Israel to respect international humanitarian law 1 2. M advocates for sanctions against extremist ministers and settlers as well as for a two-state solution 1 2. M emphasizes that the governing parties cooperate well and share the line expressed in the chamber 3. M argues that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs provides consular assistance when possible 4. M emphasizes that there has been a complete travel advisory against Gaza for over ten years 4. M considers the accusation that the government has justified genocide to be an extremely serious accusation 4. M argues that this type of rhetoric fuels hatred, threats, and polarization 4. M considers that antisemitism, hatred, and terror romanticism go hand in hand 4. V considers that the government is acting cowardly, justifies the genocide, and that the Deputy Prime Minister is acting as Israel's spokesperson 5 6. V criticizes that governing parties meet with settler representatives and argues that the government has failed in its international obligations 5 6. MP considers it problematic that the governing party KD has contacts with settler organizations 7.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)
Madam Speaker! Lorena Delgado Varas has asked me about Sweden's credibility and room for maneuver in foreign policy towards Israel and Palestine, what measures the government intends to take to ensure that Swedish foreign policy is based on international law, and about the government's work to achieve sanctions against extremist ministers and settlers in Israel.
The situation in Gaza is catastrophic – we were on that point also in the previous debate. The civilian suffering must come to an end.
The government's policy is, and continues to be, based on international law. Respect for international law, including international humanitarian law, must be ensured – by all parties.
The government's position is very clear. Sweden is at the forefront within the EU when it comes to measures to put pressure on the Israeli government to improve the catastrophic humanitarian situation and respect international humanitarian law. Sweden has taken the initiative to propose EU sanctions against extremist Israeli ministers who are pushing for an illegal settlement policy and actively counter a two-state solution. We support further sanctions against extremist settlers. Sweden wants the EU to freeze the trade part of the EU's association agreement with Israel.
At the same time, the pressure on Hamas must increase, including through additional sanctions, which the government also repeatedly raises within the EU. We have requested proposals from the Commission on how this pressure can be intensified. Hamas bears a heavy responsibility for the situation. Sweden continues to maintain that the hostages in Gaza must be released unconditionally and immediately. Hamas must be disarmed and dissolved and cannot have a place in a future government of Gaza. That the region's countries are also now clearly standing behind these demands is important and welcome.
The Government wants, together with the rest of the EU, to see an immediate ceasefire and a lasting end to the hostilities. A sustainable peace between Israel and Palestine must be built on a negotiated two-state solution.
Lorena Delgado Varas (V)
Thank you for the floor! Yesterday, the ground invasion of Gaza began. A week ago, the last of al-Jazira's journalists on the ground were murdered. Israel does not want the world to be able to see the live-broadcast genocide any longer.
This is not an attack only against a people, but it is also an attack against the truth.
Hundreds of thousands have been murdered, and no country has done what is required to stop the genocide. Instead, they have supported and justified it through discourse, trade, and relations.
In this situation, Sweden could have been a strong voice for international law, but instead, the government has acted cowardly and even justified the genocide. They have chosen to hide behind phrases about balance, security, and that Israel has the right to defend itself while hundreds of thousands of civilians are being murdered. And when the Vice Prime Minister acts as Israel's own spokesperson, Sweden's role as an independent voice in the world is eroded. It is a disgrace for all of us who stand up for international law and human rights.
International law becomes meaningless if government representatives themselves applaud the occupation or when government parties themselves meet the same actors that the EU wants to target with sanctions. The Christian Democrats' meeting with Ohad Tal and the invitations to Eugene Kontorovich undermine Sweden's credibility. How can one stand in Brussels and demand sanctions against extremists while simultaneously opening the door for them at home? It does not add up, and it has been proven through the government's inaction.
To say that policy is governed by international law is not quite true when it comes to this government. When government parties participate in meetings with settlement representatives, it is party-political relations that govern.
What measures will the government actually take to truly stand up for international law? We have not seen any during these two years. It is a lot of talk and little action.
Now, the minister has mentioned a few points that have been raised in the EU, but there is so much more that can be done both at the national level, at the EU level, and at the international level. One chooses not to do anything at all levels.
This is urgent. The ground invasion has been ongoing since yesterday. This means that the number of people murdered will increase, and we have seen how many have already been murdered during these two years. Israel does not even have respect for people who stand in line to get food. Children are being shot, both in the heart and in the head, and it is our money that is financing it.
Jacob Risberg (MP)
Madam Speaker! I thank Lorena Delgado Varas, who initiated this interpellation debate. I also thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is here to answer.
I wondered for a while whether the papers I had in front of me were from the wrong interpellation debate, because the answer the Foreign Minister gave was not at all about the questions the interpellant had posed. The interpellation is actually about the government parties having recurring contacts with settler organizations, whether this is a problem for the government, and the Foreign Minister's assessment of the Kristdemokraterna repeatedly meeting this type of organization.
This is something we would like to have answers on, because we have never heard anything condemnatory of KD's contacts from the other government parties. I think it is deeply problematic – and I have thought so for many years, since long before the current war began – that one has those types of contacts, which contribute to strengthening the settler movements and to highlighting the narrative that the settlers have regarding the land they settle on.
I would very much like to hear if the Minister for Foreign Affairs can answer the three questions that Lorena Delgado Varas asked in the interpellation and not just speak broadly and generally about the terrible situation in Gaza.
Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)
Madam Speaker! The Government has a clear line in relation to the war in Gaza and to the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The catastrophic humanitarian situation for the civilian population in Gaza must be alleviated, and international humanitarian law must be respected. Hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. A ceasefire and a lasting end to the hostilities are required. A sustainable peace can, as I said in the previous debate, only be built on a negotiated two-state solution.
This is the line we are pursuing, also in the EU. The government has presented its own proposals and stood behind others. EU colleagues are now speaking about the so-called Swedish initiative to introduce sanctions against extremist ministers who are pushing for the illegal settlement policy and actively counter a negotiated two-state solution. I think it is quite clear. It is also a clear sign of a clear and distinct policy.
I view the serious developments in the West Bank with great concern. This includes Israel's expanded military operations, which have resulted in thousands of people being forced to leave their homes, but also the continued expansion of Israeli settlements and the demolition of Palestinian homes. I personally raised the issue with Israel's Foreign Minister during my last visit in March, when I also visited the settlements, or rather the area of the West Bank.
The government also wants to see decisions on further EU sanctions against extremist settlers who commit acts of violence against civilians. The decisions require unanimity in the EU, which is why it sometimes takes longer than we would wish. Unfortunately, it does not always work at all, and it is frustrating. That is also why we proceed with measures that only require a qualified majority. This is also difficult to achieve, and it is also frustrating.
Regarding Jacob Risberg's questions, I answer for the government's policy in this chamber. That is what I have been called here for – nothing else.
Lorena Delgado Varas (V)
Thank you for the floor! The Minister was also called upon to somehow demonstrate that the Christian Democrats' direct relations with the settler movement and the Israeli government do not affect the government's direction in foreign policy.
I can feel the fatigue when the minister speaks about this issue. I understand that it has been difficult for the government not to follow international law and not to act as one should have acted during this time, but what we should be focusing on are the hundreds of thousands who have been murdered in Palestine, the hospitals that have been bombed and the journalists who have been silenced.
I really wish the minister would start using the word genocide, because that is what this is about – as many experts as ever have said.
The worst thing is that Sweden does not even want to act where it can act directly. They do not even want to accept patients from Gaza. Why? Yes, because they are afraid that these people will stay in Sweden. It shows the inhumanity in today's foreign policy.
Previously, the Minister stated that the government is at the forefront of international law. I am sorry, but it is laughable. The Swedish government is, together with the US government, one of those that has acted most to justify and enable the genocide. Everything that has been done has been a show for the gallery.
The Genocide Convention is crystal clear: Sweden has not only an obligation to refrain itself but also an obligation to actively prevent and prohibit genocide when there are clear indications. This means that the government should have pushed for an immediate arms embargo against Israel, stopped all exports of war materiel, demanded humanitarian corridors a long time ago, and mobilized diplomatic pressure. Above all, one should have stood behind the International Court of Justice's decision and demanded that Israel respect these measures. One should have condemned Israel for the genocide. By the government not doing so, it has failed in its international obligations and undermined both international law and Sweden's credibility.
Kristersson says that Israel is endangering international law. I would like to say that silent governments are those that are now killing international law.
Instead, the government parties meet representatives of extreme parties in Israel, have coffee with the Israeli ambassador, and are patted on the shoulder by Netanyahu's government. One cannot both demand sanctions in Brussels and legitimize the same people in Stockholm. It is a double standard that damages Sweden's credibility.
Ministers are collectively responsible for the government's policy. Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch has breached this responsibility. She has proposed that Sweden should recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, in the midst of an ongoing genocide. She has said that Israel is doing the whole world a favor – in the midst of an ongoing genocide. Over 100,000 Swedes have signed for her resignation. When will those demands come from the government? Or does the minister truly believe that Busch is doing a good job?
Jacob Risberg (MP)
Madam Speaker! It was about answering questions. I have a simple yes-or-no question for the Minister for Foreign Affairs: Does the Minister for Foreign Affairs think it is problematic that the government party Kristdemokraterna continues to have contacts with and show support for the settler movement?
Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)
Madam Speaker! I initially thought we would stick to the term genocide. It is very true, as Lorena Delgado Varas emphasizes, that we have a duty to prevent and preclude genocide. That is also why Sweden is the EU's second-largest donor of humanitarian aid to Gaza. That is also why we put pressure on the Israeli government to live up to international humanitarian law.
But then Lorena Delgado Varas goes astray. It is not governments around the world that are courts in the issue of international law. The Swedish government has as a practice – this goes back a long way and has also applied under Social Democratic-led governments that have been opposed by the Left Party – not to comment on the issue of genocide until a court has done so. It often takes a little time, because it is complicated evidence. I think that one should have respect for that. We intend to continue to have that from this government's side. But we have, as said, an obligation to prevent and preclude that genocide occurs.
When it comes to the question of settlements, I believe I was very clear in my previous post. I just want to emphasize that we in this government cooperate very well. The position that I express in the chamber and that we push for in the EU is completely shared by all government parties. That was not the case in the previous, Social Democratic-led government, where they had only decided on one thing, namely that they would have power together. They were unable to push through any decisions worth mentioning, and many of their budgets were not passed. But we cooperate very well, and that is good for Sweden.
Lorena Delgado Varas (V)
One has, as has been said, a responsibility as a minister. As a minister, one must represent the government's policy. One cannot act in a way that undermines that line. That is what Ebba Busch has done. But the minister does not seem to want to take responsibility in that matter.
We are in a situation where genocide is taking place in full view. Journalists are being murdered. Civilians are being bombed. The ground invasion is ongoing. Yet we hear the government talk about international law as if it were something abstract and not an obligation. It is said that one must await a court decision to be able to say that it is genocide. But there are many experts pointing out that it is a genocide or that it is likely a genocide. In that case, one must act based on that. The government has not done so at either the national level, EU level, or international level. Much more can be done, but the choice is made not to do it.
Earlier in the debate, the minister said that one supports all humanitarian initiatives. In that case, I would like to take the opportunity to ask a question. A humanitarian corridor, Freedom Flotilla, is going to Gaza. These are boats with humanitarian aid. Given that one did not support Greta Thunberg when she traveled with Ship to Gaza, I wonder if the minister now intends to support the Swedish citizens who are traveling with humanitarian aid to Gaza.
ANDRE VICE TALMANNEN
Before we continue, I would like to remind the members that the floor should be addressed to the Speaker. One should therefore begin their speech with "Mr. Speaker" or "Madam Speaker". In this case, it should be "Madam Speaker".
Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)
Madam Speaker! To begin with, I want to say that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, when possible, always provides consular assistance to Swedish citizens. I do, however, want to be very clear that for more than ten years there has been a complete advisory against all travel to Gaza. This is something that I urge Swedish citizens to take into account.
Finally, I intended to dwell on the very serious accusation that Lorena Delgado Varas has directed at me and the government on several occasions in this debate, namely that the government would have justified genocide. It is an extremely serious accusation.
It is precisely this type of rhetoric that fuels hate, threats, and polarization, which altogether does not belong in the Swedish conversation and debate. But I assume that I have nothing more to expect from someone who has also enjoyed hate directed at me on social media. It seems as if antisemitism, hate, and terror romanticism go hand in hand.
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.