Israel Bars Two Swedish Lawmakers Over Alleged Anti-Israel Campaign

The Foreign Ministry announced Sunday evening that the Population and Immigration Authority will prevent two Swedish members of the European Parliament, Jonas Sjöstedt and Hanna Gedin, from entering Israel. The ban was issued at the request of Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and in accordance with Israel’s Entry Law.

The two lawmakers, from Sweden’s Left Party, had sought to visit the Palestinian Authority. They were scheduled to arrive in Israel overnight. According to the announcement, “these are ‘anti-Israel activists.’ In recent years, the two have consistently worked against Israel, including by calling for international legal proceedings against Israelis.”

“On various public occasions, the two spread false accusations against Israel, including claims of genocide, deliberate starvation, and intentional harm to children and medical personnel.”