Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard publicly criticized Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch for her comments on moving the Swedish embassy in Israel, highlighting a lack of alignment within the government on Israel's policy. Stenergard emphasized the government's coordinated stance, while Busch's remarks have sparked internal criticism and debate.
Foreign Minister Criticizes Ebba Busch Over Israel Policy Remarks
Foreign Minister Criticizes Ebba Busch Over Israel Policy Remarks
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) criticized her government colleague, Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch (KD), during an appearance on TV4 Nyhetsmorgon. Sources within the Moderate Party, speaking to Expressen, support Stenergard's clear stance against Busch.
- The line I advocate is the coordinated one, said the Foreign Minister on Nyhetsmorgon.
Following Busch's comments last week about moving the Swedish embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the government faced criticism for sending mixed signals on the Israel issue.
In TV4 Nyhetsmorgon, Stenergard stated that Busch does not represent the government's position in her statements.
- I represent the government's policy as Foreign Minister, and it is coordinated and clear. Individual parties can pursue their own issues, but the line I advocate is the coordinated one, she said.
The government's new tougher tone towards Israel and support for the EU freezing its trade agreements with the country was not well received by all parties in the government, nor by the Sweden Democrats, as previously reported by Expressen.
Speaking Out
Last week, party leader Ebba Busch clarified her party's stance and opened up to reconsidering the threat of sanctions.
- It was an unbalanced representation of the government's line regarding the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Hamas is the root of this war; they started it, they have chosen to hold hostages, even now almost two years after the war started. Hamas has chosen not to sign peace agreements, she said then.
When Maria Malmer Stenergard appeared on TV4's Nyhetsmorgon, she began by stating that Israel has a right to defend itself but repeatedly emphasized that Israel must do more.
- Israel has a right to defend itself after Hamas's heinous terror attack on October 7, 2023, but they also have extensive obligations to ensure humanitarian aid is delivered and to protect civilians. Our assessment is that they are not doing enough, Stenergard said on the program.
"So Tired of Busch"
Sources within the Moderate Party, speaking to Expressen, believe it is good that Maria Malmer Stenergard clearly marks against her government colleague.
Many argue that Ebba Busch, with her statements, has stepped into an area where she should not be, risking creating ambiguity about what line Sweden actually has.
- I am so tired of Busch, said one of them.
There is also a widespread perception that the criticism from Busch and Jimmie Åkesson (SD), who previously called the turnaround on trade with Israel "a fiasco," should be seen as attempts to calm internal critics in their own parties.
It is clear, however, that criticism of the government's new tougher stance against Israel also exists within the Moderate Party, as previously reported by Expressen.