Most of Sweden’s parliamentary parties have expressed support for tougher measures against Israeli government actions in the occupied Palestinian Territories, according to a survey released ahead of the country’s September 13 general election.
The survey was conducted by six civil society organisations, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International Sweden and Act Church of Sweden. Seven of the eight parties represented in Sweden’s Riksdag responded to the questionnaire, while the Sweden Democrats did not participate.
All seven responding parties supported Sweden’s obligation to enforce International Criminal Court arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. They also backed targeted European Union sanctions.
The survey additionally found that four parties supported further measures, including a national ban on trade involving Israeli settlements, suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and restoration of funding to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.
The findings come at a significant moment for Swedish politics, with voters heading to the polls on September 13. The next government could face pressure to reassess Sweden’s approach to Israel, Palestinian territories and international legal obligations.
The Sweden Democrats, Sweden’s second-largest parliamentary party, did not respond to the survey and have previously opposed suspending the EU-Israel trade agreement.
