Sweden, Israel mending relations

SWEDEN’S foreign minister has vowed to take action against antisemitism, during the first visit to Israel by Stockholm’s top diplomat in more than a decade.

“On behalf of Sweden, I promise that we say ‘never again’ and mean it. We will continue to take action to combat antisemitism in all its forms, to make sure that we never forget,” Ann Linde tweeted, after visiting Yad Vashem last month.

Linde’s visit is part of Sweden’s effort to mend ties with the new Israeli government, after relations between the two countries soured in recent years over Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians.

Sweden’s Social Democratic-led government recognised Palestinian statehood in 2014, making it the first major European country to do so since the end of the Cold War. Its former foreign minister’s comments in support of the Palestinians drew angry responses from Israeli officials.

Last month, Sweden hosted world leaders at the International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance in Malmo.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanked Linde for Sweden’s hosting of the conference during his meeting with the foreign minister on Monday, at which he also “stressed the need for international unity in combating antisemitism in all its forms wherever it appears,” his office said.

In addition, Herzog urged Sweden to “actively support” the recent normalisation agreements between Israel and several Arab nations, known as the Abraham Accords.

In her own tweet following the meeting, Linde said it was an honour to meet Herzog, a “longtime” friend, and “to confirm the friendship between our countries and our shared ambition to further strengthen and deepen relations”.

The foreign minister later met with her Israeli counterpart, Yair Lapid, tweeting that she had “confirmed our strong commitment to the security of Israel”.

They also “discussed the need for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” Linde wrote.

Lapid noted that the two countries do not see eye-to-eye on certain issues, in clear reference to the Palestinian conflict. However, he said they are looking to work through those disagreements.

“In recent years, these disagreements have caused us to move apart. Today, we are changing this,” the foreign minister tweeted.

“I appreciate what you told me – that behind the criticism lies a deep Swedish commitment to Israel’s security, and to the right of the Jewish people to establish a state for ourselves in our historic homeland. Thank you for your visit, Minister. I believe that because of the page we are turning here today, there will be a whole new book of friendship and cooperation.”