Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced Thursday that his government supports suspending the free trade agreement between Israel and the European Union due to the situation in Gaza. The Portuguese government has also announced that it will recognize a Palestinian state.
With this, Sweden and Portugal join the Netherlands and other EU members in the growing diplomatic momentum against Israel, where numerous countries are expected to announce their recognition of a Palestinian state in September.
"The situation in Gaza is absolutely horrific, and Israel is failing to meet its most basic obligations and the agreements concerning humanitarian aid," Kristersson wrote on X. "Sweden therefore demands that the European Union suspend the trade pillar of the Association Agreement as soon as possible. Economic pressure on Israel must increase."
Kristersson added that "the Israeli government must allow unlimited humanitarian aid into Gaza. At the same time, pressure on Hamas must intensify so that the hostages are released immediately and unconditionally." He voiced support for Middle Eastern states calling for Hamas to be disarmed and excluded from any future governance in Gaza.
Sweden's position comes amid rising tensions between Israel and the EU. As reported by Israel Hayom Wednesday, the Netherlands has also taken severe steps against Israel, including reconsidering the presence of its ambassador in Tel Aviv and banning imports from Judea and Samaria.
Earlier this week, a proposal to partially suspend Israel from the EU's Horizon research program failed after it did not receive the required majority, support from 15 member states representing 65% of the EU population. Germany played a key role in blocking the initiative, with Euronews describing Berlin as "holding all the cards" due to its demographic and diplomatic weight. A source present at the meeting said Germany preferred to continue dialogue with Israel rather than take action.
Despite that setback, the Netherlands has not backed down. According to Euronews, it is among the countries willing to pursue harsh trade sanctions against Israel, alongside Ireland, France, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Portugal, Malta and Spain. These countries are expected to continue pressing the issue in the coming weeks.
