Jerusalem – In an apparent diplomatic snub, Israel said Tuesday that none of its officials will meet with the Swedish foreign minister during a visit this week.
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Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon cited a “scheduling issue” for the decision not to meet with Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom. It is highly unusual for a visiting high-level dignitary not to meet any Israeli officials.
Wallstrom arrives Thursday and is expected to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Sweden’s relations with Israel have been strained since the Social Democratic-led government in 2014 recognized Palestinian statehood, and Wallstrom’s comments on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have elicited angry responses from Israeli officials.
“I would have liked to visit Israel as well, but unfortunately they couldn’t confirm it,” Wallstrom said in a statement.
As foreign minister, Wallstrom has been outspoken on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Her statements have riled not just Israel but also Saudi Arabia, which temporarily recalled its ambassador from Sweden last year after Wallstrom criticized the kingdom’s human rights record.
Well obviously she should have visited first before making unfounded comments. By the way, which airport is she landing in? As far as I know there is no airport in the Palestinian areas? Maybe she should land in Jordan.
Her are her words from wiki:
“On 12 January 2016, Wallström called for an investigation to check whether Israel was guilty of the extrajudicial killings of Palestinians during the recent wave of violence, causing further anger in the Israeli political establishment. The Foreign Ministry of Israel issued an official statement saying that Wallstrom’s “irresponsible and delirious statements are giving support to terrorism and encouraging violence.”[43] This also caused further deterioration in Israel-Sweden relations, and Deputy Foreign Minister of Israel Tzipi Hotovely declared that Swedish politicians of the rank of deputy minister and above are not welcome in Israel.[44] International law expert Noah Feldman stated Wallström misunderstands international law, which does not apply in these cases.[45]”
Good. The vicious antisemite should be dumped in the sea.
Sherree – which planet are you living on? What are you talking about, visiting first?
Anti-Semites are NOT WELCOME in Israel – no matter who they are. period!!!!!!!