The Swedish government is intensifying efforts to pressure Israel by advocating for a freeze on the EU-Israel trade agreement, citing the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson emphasizes the need for increased economic pressure to ensure unimpeded humanitarian aid access. Aid Minister Benjamin Dousa highlights the urgency of the crisis and the potential effectiveness of EU-level actions.
Sweden Pushes to Freeze EU-Israel Trade Agreement Amid Gaza Crisis
Sweden Pushes to Freeze EU-Israel Trade Agreement Amid Gaza Crisis
In an effort to increase pressure on Israel and its leader Benjamin Netanyahu, the Swedish government is now advocating for a freeze on the EU's trade agreement with Israel. "The situation in Gaza is absolutely dreadful," writes Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on X.
The Swedish government has previously called for the EU to impose sanctions on Israel. Now, they are pushing harder, seeking a complete freeze of the trade agreement between the EU and Israel. Currently, 28 percent of Israel's exports go to the EU.
"The situation in Gaza is absolutely dreadful, and Israel is not fulfilling its most basic obligations and agreements regarding emergency aid," writes Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on X.
"The economic pressure on Israel must increase. The Israeli government must allow unrestricted humanitarian aid in Gaza."
"This is an Effective Tool"
Aid Minister Benjamin Dousa (M) states that the goal is to get Israel to open its borders and guarantee unrestricted access for aid organizations.
– We have previously doubled aid to Gaza from 400 million to 800 million, but the major problem right now is that the aid is not getting through, he says.
– The humanitarian catastrophe and situation in Gaza is the worst since the war began, and there is a shortage of practically everything.
If the tool were to gain sufficient majority in the EU, it would be an effective tool, he believes.
However, freezing trade between Sweden and Israel is not an option, according to Benjamin Dousa.
– We do not have our own trade agreement with Israel; it is the EU and Israel that have a trade agreement with each other. These tools exist at the European level, but now we are saying that we will push for this, and I personally will bring this up with my trade minister colleagues whom I meet regularly.
In recent years, Sweden has imported military equipment worth many millions of kronor from Israel.
On questions about this, Benjamin Dousa provides Sweden's view on Swedish arms exports to Israel.
– It is the ISP (Inspectorate for Strategic Products) that makes ongoing assessments, but regardless of the government's color, we have had a very restrictive view on arms exports. So, it is not the case that Swedish fighter jets or Swedish-produced drones are being used in Gaza right now.