The United States has introduced sanctions in the form of visa freezes for Israeli settlers in the West Bank who are suspected of violence.
In Germany and Belgium there are demands that the EU introduce a similar barrier.
The Social Democrats want the Swedish government to also pursue the issue of an EU entry ban for extreme and violent settlers.
The US visa freeze on immigrants suspected of crimes went into effect last week. The stop was imposed to pressure the Israeli government to do more to prevent violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
Now S wants the Swedish government to push the issue of similar measures, then a ban on entry to the EU because there is visa freedom.
Requirements in Germany and Belgium
The Belgian government has already said it wants a ban. The German Social Democrats also want the issue to be dealt with by the EU when the foreign ministers of the member states meet on Monday.
– The US is, just like us, extremely concerned about developments in the West Bank. Just since October 7, around 200 Palestinians have been killed, and even more have been displaced and harassed, says Morgans Johanson (S), the party’s foreign policy spokesperson.
Unclear how many victims
How many Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the Hamas attack is unclear. The data varies and is slightly below or above 200 depending on the source.
But the majority have been killed when the Israeli army carried out search and arrest operations, others in connection with demonstrations, another part when Palestinians allegedly attacked the Israeli army or settlers.
According to the UN, around ten Palestinians have been killed directly by Israeli settlers since October 7. In total, over 450 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank in 2023.
– It is extremely important that Israel takes control of the violent and extreme settlers. But on the contrary, they have given many of the settlers weapons and there are signs that they are allowed to run rampant freely, says Johansson.
Wants Sweden to support possible proposals
When the Riksdag’s EU committee met on Friday, S raised the issue of an entry ban.
– It may come up sharply at the foreign minister’s meeting and then we asked for a clear stance from the Swedish government. Other countries can raise the issue, then we want Sweden to contribute to such a proposal.
But S does not think that you have been heard. According to Morgan Johansson, the government points out that there is visa freedom between the Schengen countries and Israel.
TT has applied for Tobias Billström. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs refers to his comments on the issue in connection with the meeting of foreign ministers on Monday.