Swedish foreign committee debates EU trade freeze with Israel amid party shift

On Thursday, the Swedish parliament's foreign affairs committee convened, with Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard presenting the government's line before an upcoming EU foreign ministers summit in Luxembourg. A contentious issue is the EU's association agreement with Israel, specifically its trade chapter, which has been debated following a Hamas attack. Last year, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called for the EU to freeze the trade portion to increase economic pressure on Israel.

The Sweden Democrats and Christian Democrats expressed strong displeasure, and the committee has heard little since the meeting. With the red-green parties now holding a majority, they may press the government to adopt a more explicit stance, potentially making the Center Party's vote decisive. Committee members Birgitta Ohlsson and Morgan Johansson indicated they will issue statements, while Sweden Democrats spokesperson Aron Emilsson warned that a freeze could isolate Sweden within the EU and harm relations with Israel.