Israel condemns Swedish FM’s ‘bias, hostility’

The Foreign Ministry’s Aviv Shir-on rebukes Swedish ambassador to Israel Carl Magnus Nesser for Wallstrom’s “hostile” attitude toward Israel.

Shir-on protested Wallstrom’s comment, and also conveyed the “fury of the government and people of Israel over the distorted presentation of reality, as well as another comment which indicates that her approach to Israel is biased, and even hostile,” a statement from the ministry says.

“Wallstrom’s comments point to her misunderstanding of what is happening in our region, and she is likely unaware of the difficult situation Israeli citizens are in, with constant danger of murderous terror attacks. In light of the damaging and baseless positions of the Swedish minister, she has removed herself, and Sweden, in the near future, from any role — or any semblance of a role — in handling the relations between Israel and the Palestinians.”

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry director-general Dore Gold, addressing the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, says: “Whoever attacks Israel’s right to defend itself against terror attacks effectively encourages terror,” according to a statement.

— Raphael Ahren contributed