Swedish foreign minister 'not welcome' in Israel

Margot Wallstrom called on Tuesday for an investigation to determine if Israeli forces are guilty of extrajudicial killings of Palestinians.

"It is vital that there are thorough, credible investigations into these deaths in order to clarify and bring about possible accountability," Wallstrom told Swedish MPs during a parliamentary debate.

Israeli officials were quick to register their anger at the often outspoken Swedish minister.

It is vital that there are thorough, credible investigations into these deaths in order to clarify and bring about possible accountability - Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom

"Given the incendiary and aggressive nature of [Wallstrom's] comments, we have made it clear that she is not welcome in Israel," Israeli foreign ministry spokesman, Emmanuel Nahshon, said on Wednesday. 

Wallstrom "would not be received by Israeli officials" were she to visit, the spokesman added.

Israel also summoned the Swedish ambassador on Wednesday to describe its "rage" at Wallstrom's comments.

Ambassador Carl Magnus Nesser was summoned to the Israeli Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem and reprimanded regarding Wallstrom's statement that "attests to her biased and even hostile attitude to Israel."

In further testimony to Israel's anger, Israeli deputy foreign minister Tzipi Hotovely told reporters also on Wednesday that Wallstrom's statements could encourage "Islamic State [group] to take action throughout Europe."

Wallstrom had earlier condemned the stabbing attacks by Palestinians against Israelis last month, but stressed that while Israel had a "right to defend itself," its response had been disproportionate.

Wallstrom would not be received by Israeli officials were she to visit, said Israel's foreign ministry.

"The response cannot be, and I say this in other situations as well, where the response becomes so that there are extrajudicial executions, or that it becomes disproportionate so the numbers of dead on the other side is greater than the original death toll by several factors," Wallstrom said.

Palestinian response

Meanwhile, the Palestinian foreign ministry welcomed Wallstrom's comments.

"We condemn Israeli crimes and violations," the ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, "We welcome voices that condemn and criticise the killing of civilians."

The statement described the killings as war crimes committed by Benyamin Netanyahu's government.

The spate of violence that erupted since October in the West Bank has resulted in the killing of at least 149 Palestinians and the death of 24 Israelis. 

Swedish foreign policy has elicited hostile reaction from Israel following the former's recognition of Palestinian statehood in October 2014.

The official recognition was then announced also by Wallstrom, who in a statement said the move was "an important step that confirms the Palestinians' right to self-determination," before adding, "We hope that this will show the way for others."

Wallstrom was also on record for stating that the plight of the Palestinians is a factor leading to Islamist radicalisation.