Israel has barred two Swedish members of the European Parliament from entering the country, citing what officials described as a years-long record of hostile activity against Israel, including efforts to promote international legal action against Israeli officials and accusations that Israel has committed genocide and deliberately targeted civilians.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar requested that the Population and Immigration Authority deny entry to Jonas Sjöstedt and Hanna Gedin, both members of Sweden’s Left Party. The decision was made under the authority provided by Israel’s Entry into Israel Law.
Sjöstedt and Gedin had been scheduled to arrive in Israel overnight before continuing on to the Palestinian Authority as part of their planned visit.
The Foreign Ministry said the two European lawmakers have repeatedly engaged in activities directed against Israel in recent years. Among their actions, according to the ministry, have been calls for international judicial proceedings targeting Israeli officials.
Israeli officials also pointed to a series of public statements made by the lawmakers that Israel considers false and inflammatory. Those allegations have included claims that Israel is committing genocide and intentionally starving Palestinians.
The two have also accused Israel of deliberately targeting children and medical personnel, allegations that Israeli officials have strongly rejected.
