Dr. Björn Brenner
'Sweden a big supporter of Israel'
WATCH: Dr. Björn Brenner from the Swedish Defense University speaks to Ynetnews about official Swedish positions towards Israel and controversial remarks made by Foreign Minister Wallström last week.
Sweden and Israel are at odds yet again after Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström made comments that seemingly link Islamist terrorism and the "desperate situation" of the Palestinians.
Dr. Björn Brenner from the Swedish Defense University in Stockholm spoke to Ynetnews about the Swedish government's consistent and seemingly negative stance on Israel.
Wallström has in the past made statements against Israel and has also been entangled in a dispute with Saudi Arabia. On this occasion, during an interview on Swedish TV channel SVT2 on Friday, shortly after the Paris attacks, she was asked if she is concerned about the radicalization of Swedish youth who fight with Islamic State.
"Of course we have cause for concern, not just in Sweden but throughout the world, because there are so many being radicalized," Wallström replied. "And again, it reminds us of the situation in the Middle East, where the Palestinians see that there is no future for them and have to either accept a desperate situation or resort to violence."
The director general of the Foreign Ministry, Dr. Dore Gold, summoned Swedish ambassador to Israel, Carl Magnus, for an urgent discussion on Monday, in order to clarify Wallström's comments in the wake of the controversy.
