Israel bans two 'anti-Israel' Swedish MEPs ahead of planned visit
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has banned two Swedish members of the European Parliament from entering the country.
- MEPs Jonas Sjöstedt and Hanna Gedin are accused of consistently acting against Israel and making false accusations.
- The ban comes ahead of their planned visit to the Palestinian Authority.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has requested that two anti-Israel Swedish members of the European Parliament be banned from entering Israel. The Population and Immigration Authority will deny entry to Left Party MEPs Jonas Sjöstedt and Hanna Gedin, in accordance with Israel's Entry Law.
On various public occasions, they have also made false accusations against Israel, including claims of genocide, deliberate starvation, and the intentional targeting of children and medical personnel.
The two MEPs were planning to visit the Palestinian Authority and were scheduled to arrive in Israel overnight. According to the Foreign Ministry, Sjöstedt and Gedin have "consistently acted against Israel in recent years." The ministry cited their actions, including calling for international legal proceedings against Israelis and making "false accusations against Israel, including claims of genocide, deliberate starvation, and the intentional targeting of children and medical personnel."
On various public occasions, they have also made false accusations against Israel, including claims of genocide, deliberate starvation, and the intentional targeting of children and medical personnel.
Jonas Sjöstedt has maintained a strongly critical stance toward Israel, describing its conduct in Gaza as "genocide" and advocating for an EU arms embargo and sanctions against Israeli officials. He has also characterized Israel's policy toward Palestinians as a "cruel occupation." Despite his criticism, Sjöstedt has explicitly recognized Israel's right to exist and condemned the October 7 Hamas attack.
On various public occasions, they have also made false accusations against Israel, including claims of genocide, deliberate starvation, and the intentional targeting of children and medical personnel.
Hanna Gedin has similarly supported EU pressure and sanctions against Israel concerning the Gaza war. Both MEPs were among those who signed a letter in May 2026 seeking access to Gaza. Their planned visit to the Palestinian Authority and subsequent ban from Israel highlight ongoing tensions and differing perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within European political circles.
On various public occasions, they have also made false accusations against Israel, including claims of genocide, deliberate starvation, and the intentional targeting of children and medical personnel.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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