‘Sweden is a friend of Israel,” declared outgoing Swedish Ambassador Erik Ullenhag at the Swedish National Day reception that happened to coincide with . Acknowledging that Sweden and Israel have their differences, as all good friends do, he underscored that while there is disagreement on humanitarian aid to Gaza, Sweden speaks up for Israel in matters of security and Israel’s right to defend itself. When Sweden supports the idea of a two-state solution to bring the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians to an end, it is not because Sweden is against Israel but because Sweden is convinced that Israelis and Palestinians can find a way to live together in peace, he said.
“The tragedy we live through now forces us to try something new.” Ullenhag expressed his deepest condolences to all Israelis, “particularly those who have lost loved ones” in the October 7 atrocities perpetrated by Hamas and the subsequent war between Israel and Hamas, which is continuing. Turning north to the war between Russia and Ukraine, Ullenhag said that Sweden has consistently supported Ukraine, not merely because the colors on the Ukrainian flag are the same as those on the flag of Sweden, but also because Ukraine is fighting both for its independence and for the freedom and independence of Europe.
Ullenhag will complete his tenure in Israel in August after eight years in the Middle East. He was previously ambassador to Jordan. His next posting will be as consul general in New York, .