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Sweden's foreign minister cancels Israel visit

by albertacowpoke | September 7, 2009 at 03:38 am

124 views | 16 Recommendations | 8 comments

Last month the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet published an controversial and unsubstantiated article, accusing Israeli soldiers of harvesting Palestinian organs. Israeli officials have condemned the article as anti-Semetic and reminiscent of medieval blood libel against Jews.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded that the Swedish Government condemn the article. Sweden, quoting freedom of speech, has not.

Now the Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt has canceled his trip to Israel. Although the cancellation appears to be amidst this diplomatic squabble, Iran Busic a spokeswoman for Bildt said it was a problem with timing.

Bildt was expected to arrive in Israel on Friday.

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt has cancelled a planned visit to Israel in the midst of an apparently worsening diplomatic squabble.

Bildt was expected to arrive in Israel this Friday, but the Israeli Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that it has learned he won't be coming.

Israel and Sweden are at odds over the publication last month of an incendiary article in the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. The unsubstantiated article alleged that Israeli soldiers had harvested the organs of Palestinians.

Irena Busic, a spokeswoman for Bildt, said he cancelled because of a problem with timing and denied the tabloid article had anything to do with his travel plans.

Israeli officials have condemned the article as anti-Semitic and reminiscent of medieval "blood libel" against Jews.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded the Swedish government condemn the article. Sweden has refused calls for an official condemnation, citing freedom of expression and press freedom.

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Barry Artiste

at 05:04 on September 7th, 2009

I guess the Swedish Government subscribe to Media like News of the World and the exploits of BATBOY, for their information on World Events?

albertacowpoke

at 05:11 on September 7th, 2009

Personally, if the story is a lie, it should be detracted by the media.

Johan Karlsson (not verified)

at 12:49 on September 7th, 2009

If this is true it is very bad. As a Swede I think its very important to get to Israel and talk. These small things can often lead to very bad things and just hope they can get alone:)

albertacowpoke

at 16:55 on September 7th, 2009

I agree with you, free press should be supreme but not if it is a lie.

joe bloggs (not verified)

at 07:37 on September 8th, 2009

Can't they sue the newspaper for libel if the story is untrue?

albertacowpoke

at 07:55 on September 8th, 2009

Good point

tikun

at 08:02 on September 8th, 2009

The editor himself stated that he has no proof of the events. He is notorious for printing all kinds of lies about Israel. I think that the Swedish Foreign Minister should stay home. He is not wanted nor appreciated here.

No one asked for the government to prohibit the story. Our press is free and wide open to criticize everyone and everything. What was requested is that the Swedish Government officials condemn these accusations just like the Swedish Ambassador to Israel did before he was blasted for his comments in Sweden by radical left-wing nut-jobs.

BTW, The Swedish government did publicly condemn the Mohamad cartoons when they were published. Hmmm. I smell a rat.