JERUSALEM: Israel has hit out at Sweden's newly elected prime minister Stefan Loefven over his decision to recognise a Palestinian state.
"Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said that he regrets that the new prime minister was in a hurry to make statements on Sweden's position regarding recognition of a Palestinian state, apparently before he had time even to study the issue in depth," Lieberman's office quoted him as saying, in a statement issued late Saturday.
It added that Sweden's ambassador to Israel, Carl Magnus Nesser, "will be invited for a talk at the foreign ministry in Jerusalem," but did not say when.
"Prime Minister Loefven needs to understand that no statement or act by an external party can be a substitute for direct negotiations between the sides," the statement said.
Social Democrat leader Loefven - who won last month's general election - said on Friday his country wanted to bolster a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"A two-state solution requires mutual recognition and the will to co-exist peacefully," Loefven said in his inaugural address to parliament.
This should take place with respect for the "legitimate demands of the Palestinians and the Israelis as regards their right to self-determination and security", he added.
Sweden voted in favour of Palestinian observer status at the United Nations in 2012, which was granted despite opposition from the United States and other countries.
Seven EU members in eastern Europe and the Mediterranean have already recognised a Palestinian state, namely Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland and Romania.
Non-EU member Iceland is the only other western European nation to have done so.
Loefven's statement was warmly welcomed by the Palestinians but the United States, Israel's ally, said it was a step too soon.
"We believe international recognition of a Palestinian state is premature," said State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
COMMENTS (10)
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@antanu: I would'nt be too optimistic about the former colonialist Sweden diplomatic initiative. Sweden must define the territory which Palestinians are claiming today and not leave them to negotiate with Israel.
Rex Minor
Every body should have there own writes for recognition of a Palestinian state, america and Israel can't bully people to decide what or who they want to vote for.
@G. Din: Hope that analogy keeps you happy.
The Swedish Prime Minister has the courage of his own conviction and obviously the support of his people for doing the right thing.........why should he worry about others.
@oBSERVER:
Suggest you do some research on how Israel was formed ... you can blame the UN General Assembly for that one. You should also note that the USA State Dept was lobbying Truman against voting for the formation of Israel and while the USA eventually voted yes it took a neutral position and didn't lobby anyone.
Israel is behaving as if it is the only country with moral high ground. It is in fact behaving the way an illegitimate child of a crook is expected to. Sweden is trying to put the Israel in its place a feet not even Muslim countries could so far achieve.
@wonka: China has blocked Google in China. What would you say to the Chinese?
It is like Pakistan recognizing Taliban government of Afghanistan. We all know how that ended.
The illegimate child of US behaves as it is expected to.
Sweden's awesome. Hope they stick to this decision. Google in America also recognized the state of Palestine, much to Israel's chagrin. I guess the live up to their company motto, which is part hilarious, part poignant: Don't be evil.