Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom was quoted Jan. 12 in the Swedish media as demanding an investigation into the circumstances under which Palestinians were killed by Israeli security forces in the current wave of violence. Her comment generated furious reactions in Israel that reflected a grim absence of coherent and effective foreign policy in the diplomatic battle with the Palestinians.
In a formal response to Wallstrom’s comment, which was similar to others she has made in the past, Sweden’s ambassador to Israel was summoned to the Foreign Ministry for a reprimand. But even as Israel was taking its required official measure, senior Likud figures made a wild, unfocused and ineffective attack that served their political needs but could be damaging to Israeli foreign policy.
