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Israel slams Swedish FM's call for inquiry into Palestinian murders

Xinhua, January 13, 2016 Adjust font size:

Israel's Foreign Ministry Tuesday slammed Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom's call for an investigation into the murder of Palestinians during the current wave of violence.

Wallstrom called for an investigation into the murder of Palestinians by Israeli security forces and vigilantes Tuesday.

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement shortly after the Swedish official's comments, deeming them "irresponsible and delusional" declaring they "support terrorism and encourage violence."

Wallstrom stated during a parliament session that there exists a dire need for a "thorough and credible investigation into the deaths so as to highlight the issue and attain accountability," according to Swedish news outlets.

Twenty-three Israelis and one U.S. citizen were killed since October, in stabbing, shooting and car-ramming attacks amid an ongoing wave of violence, whilst over 140 Palestinians - more than half of whom are alleged attackers who committed, or attempted to attack Israelis.

Palestinian and Israeli human rights groups have claimed excessive force was used against Palestinians who attacked Israelis, even after they were neutralized.

On the other hand, Israeli security forces claim their actions were justified considering the danger.

The troublesome exchange is another step downhill in the deteriorating relationship between Israel and Sweden.

Similar statements issued by Wallstrom last month, accusing Israel of potential "unlawful" murders, drew a similar response from Israel's Foreign Ministry, which dubbed them as "scandalous."

The Swedish Foreign Ministry, commenting on the exchange, claimed that Wallstrom was misunderstood.

Israeli politicians were furious at Wallstrom in November after she declared that the frustrations Palestinians are living through are the leading cause behind radical Islam, shortly after the Paris terrorist attacks claimed the lives of 130 people.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in November that Wallstrom was "categorically biased" against Israel, and then summoned the Swedish ambassador for further discussions.

The Swedish embassy in Israel clarified that Wallstrom saw no correlation between the Palestinians' condition in the occupied territories and the Paris attacks.

Sweden is known as a staunch critic of Israeli policies towards Palestinians.

Sweden irked Israeli leaders when it recognized Palestine as a state in the occupied territories back in 2014.

Israeli leaders claim the ongoing wave of violence is fueled by incited religious motives, due to disturbance around the site of the al-Aqsa mosque, holy to both Jews and Muslims.

Palestinians, on the other hand, claim that the ongoing violence is due to Israel's 50 years of occupation of the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, where over five million Palestinian live.

Furthermore, the dim prospects of establishing a Palestinian state in these territories, in accordance with the two-state solution, is another factor behind the current wave of violence. Endit