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Sweden: EU should impose sanctions on Israel over Gaza blockade
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson says Sweden will summon the Israeli ambassador to protest Israel’s refusal to freely allow aid into war-battered Gaza. “We do not support what the Israeli government is currently doing by denying access to Gaza. Absolutely not,” he said, according to the TT news agency.
Kristersson said the EU should impose sanctions and exert diplomatic pressure on Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
“We have been incredibly clear about that, ourselves and together with many other European countries. That pressure is now increasing, no doubt, and for very good reasons.”
‘Situation in Gaza is unacceptable’: Germany
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul says Israel has the right to defend itself but the humanitarian aid blockade situation in Gaza “must be urgently improved”.
“This requires an immediate ceasefire – and clear steps towards a two-state solution,” he added.
German officials have increasingly stressed the need for Israel to adhere to international law in its war on Gaza while mostly avoiding outright criticism of its actions in occupied Palestinian territory.
European Council urges lifting of Gaza blockade in call with Abbas
In a phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, European Council head Antonio Costa reiterated his “grave concerns regarding the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the escalating violence in the West Bank”.
Costa said he also expressed “full support for the UN Secretary-General’s five-stage aid plan for Gaza”.
He called on “Israel to lift its blockade and allow immediate, safe, and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid and assistance, in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles”.
The UN’s five-stage plan consists of ensuring the delivery of aid to Gaza, inspecting and scanning aid at crossing points, transporting aid from crossing points to humanitarian facilities, preparing aid for onward distribution, and transporting aid to people in need.
Err you dialed the wrong number, you should be talking to Netanyahu
