Protesters opposed to Israel’s offensive in Gaza disrupted a foreign policy debate in Sweden’s parliament on Wednesday, as the country’s foreign minister maintained support for Israel’s right to self-defense against Hamas.
A woman was removed out of the public gallery by security officers after shouting that Israel “was committing genocide” as Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom presented the government’s foreign policy declaration to parliament.
Billstrom stated, “Sweden supports Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself against Hamas in accordance with international law,” before being interrupted.
He went on to say that “in light of the catastrophic situation in Gaza, the government believes that a ceasefire is necessary for humanitarian reasons.”
Protesters began chanting as members of parliament debated the country’s assistance for UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
Police told AFP that six people were detained by security guards, and one of them was later arrested on suspicion of “violent resistance.”
A small number of demonstrators gathered outside the parliament.
Sweden suspended financing to UNRWA in late January in response to suspicions that agency employees were involved in the Hamas attack on October 7.
The United Nations has announced the formation of an independent panel to investigate UNRWA in light of the allegations.
The Hamas strike that began the war killed around 1,160 people in Israel, the majority of them were civilians, according to an AFP calculation based on Israeli official numbers.
According to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry, Israel’s following attack on Gaza has killed at least 28,576 people.
During his policy declaration, Billstrom stated that Sweden’s top priority will be “support for Ukraine” in its fight against Russia.
“Sweden will continue to support Ukraine as long as needed — politically, humanitarian, militarily and economically,” Mr. Billstrom added.