The relationship between Israel and Sweden is severely disrupted. The government in Stockholm has recognized Palestine as a state. Israel’s foreign minister rages.

The outrage is great in Israel. Because Sweden has recognized Palestine as a state, the Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is beside himself. First he spoke of a “miserable decision,” then he put one better. “Sweden needs to understand that the relations in the Middle East are more complicated than Ikea furniture”

On Thursday, the Swedish government was the first western European country officially recognized the State of Palestine. So far the have done in the European Union only Malta and Cyprus. At the United Nations (UN) has since 2012 Palestine observer status but not to a Member State. More than 130 of the 193 UN members have already recognized Palestine as a state, especially countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Germany agrees with the United States considers that there may be a sovereign Palestinian state until after conclusion of peace negotiations with Israel. In London, the British House said two weeks ago from a recognition, however, the vote is not binding.

Sweden’s Foreign Minister Margot Wallström justified the decision by saying that after 20 years of fruitless negotiations, the time had come. We hope a new dynamic. In his inaugural speech in early October Prime Minister Stefan Löfven had said, the conflict between Israel and Palestine could be resolved only by a two-state solution, “negotiated in accordance with the principles of international law”.

The Palestinians had welcomed the decision of Sweden. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas described the recognition as a “historic decision”. He called on other countries to follow the example of Sweden.

Quite different Lieberman’s prompt response: “It is a shame that the Swedish government makes such a declaration, the direct damage,” he said Thursday. Israel’s ambassador to Sweden, he summoned back to Jerusalem.

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