Sweden to Israel: Don't divide EU over Jerusalem stance

I was a youngster when that was going on but I do recall that Swedish Railroads hauled the Nazi troops and war material across Sweden for the attack on Norway, also I recall that the Swedes had little choice and saved their country from devestation, the Norse could likely give us another slant as they saw it all. Weren't those two countries just one, a hundred years ago. Jim

Allan #15, should know that Arabs in 1918, at the fall of the Ottoman Empire, did not think of themselves as Syrians. The Ottoman coined the term Greater Syria.The Syrians and Lebanese fell under the French Mandate, as did Palestine and Jordan under the British Mandate. Lebanese and Palestinians would not in a 1000 years, admit to a common heritage with Syrians. (Although Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian men, and no other non-Jewish men, have a common genetic signature with Middle East Jews, according to the NYU School of Medicine and the National Academy of Science.) Palestinians are not a myth. When the Israelites entered Canaan (also known as Palestine at the time) from Jordan, the land was inhabited by, among others, three semitic tribes, Hittites, Amorites and Jebusites. The Jebusites had built Jerusalem and inhabited the city for 100 years after the Israelites arrived. In academia, many noted scholars and historians are convinced the Jebusites are the forbears of Palestinians.

How typicalof EU!!!!!! Poor EU!! Can't get out of the anti-Jewish mode. History serves no one in the EU. So worried about itself only.Wake up??

Confusing isn't it. God also the land of Canaan to all of Abraham's descendants, and that would include Ishmael. Then God really threw Jews for a loop when he declared in Judges 2:21-23 I WILL NOT EVICT ANY OF THE NATIONS WHICH JOSHUA LEFT WHEN HE DIED. You know from the Bible that the Jebusites where already in Palestine when the Israelites arrived. The Jebusites had built Jerusalem and occupied it for 100 years after the Israelites arrival. So, when God made his vow not to evict any nation, the Jebusites were still there. In the academic world, many notable scholars and historians maintain the Jebusites are the forebears of the Palestinians. You probably know also that Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory is a violation of international law. Sadly, Jewish religious beliefs don't supersede international law. If international law had to conform to the beliefs of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Shintoism and Taoism, there would be no international law.

That would be smart. Europe is Israel's largest trading partner. What will Israel do with the $10-15 Billion exports to Europe each year. Give them to the Gazans?

"Zionism, the real enemy of the Jews"? In four volumes. Well cited to original sources, easy reading and what an eye opener to the lies now being told. Lays out in great detail how Zionists hoodwinked Wilson, Truman, Roosevelt and the Arabs to steal Palestine and the views of all of them as to the mess that would ensue. Right they were. Try to get the first 2 volumes now out. Guaranteed you will enjoy them immensely. I enjoy your posts.

Jesus told the Jews their real father (Satan) was liar! When will you guys stop lying? I doubt you know any truth. The Pals have lived continuously in that land for ages along with Jews of old, which newcomers have NO relationship with, being former Khazars. You my good man, mostly from Europe, are amongst the aliens in the land. If you have faith God gave land to the Israelis, why do you worry about Iran or anybody else? You are a fraud and a liar. Free Palestine!!!!

lecture or dictate to anyone. Forget about Malmo and other acts of cowardice or knuckling uder to Muslim threats. Try trading with the Nazis throughout the war and supplying critical commodities, e.g. steel while hiding behind the guise of neutrality. In other words, profiteering and aiding the Nazi war effort and genocide.

U.N. resolution 181 which created Israel also designated Jerusalem as an international city, not belonging to Jews nor Palestinians. Israel's illegal attempt to take Jerusalem for themselves is the act of a rogue nation. The logical progression of this type of action dictates then that all other nations should question Israel's legitimacy since it is Israel that is contradicting resolution 181 by their aggressive illegal actions.

Sweden's arrogant attitude toward the Jewish State and their people has a well known history that precedes the establishment of Israel.During WW2, the Swedish economy was integrated into the Nazis' New Order.Sweden supplied the German government with high grade iron ore,ball bearings,foodstuffs and other goods necessary to support their war effort.In addition, the Swedish government supported Germany with financial credit,which allowed delivery of vast quantities of military equipment to the Wehrmacht.Is it any wonder that they have a contemptuous attitude toward the Jewish State?Raoul Wallenberg was a wonderful exception.

i agree God gave them that land that he promise Abram, Isac, Jacob.

... one in East Jerusalem, and another in West Jerusalem... ... re SDHD, you're just muddling your facts and premises (I trust not willfully...)

This is all time low. Israelis, infamous for ethnical cleansing in eastern Jerusalem, accuring Sweden for being racist? Come on...

East Jerusalem, Ms Stein, is part of a city. A large city with a downtown, government buildings, water & electrical infrastructure, bus & train service, intersections, a police force, laws, by-laws, parks, protected areas, historical sites, religious sites & services, etc. East & West Jerusalem do not operate separately or have separate services or laws.... BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SEPARATE CITIES. Is that a bit clearer for you?

Why do you only print the headline but not the actual interview with Swedish foreign minister? You cut a headline and put another story below. Typical israeli journalism? Because you cannot afford to print the truth of what he said!

Sweden needs to wake up. Asking that another nation divide it`s own capital in order not to cause a political divide in the EU is ethnocentrism in it`s highest form. Right on! - Couldn't agree with you more

The success of the rest of the world is based on how they kowtow to the pariah state. Get real Israel---we dont care what your opinion is. We care what your actions are. We dont like your actions.

export nothing to them!!

Dear Ms. Stein, Israel has had until more recent years Jerusalem as one city as Its Capital The name Stein suggests you are Jewish, in our prayers for thousands of years we have said NEXT YEAR JERUSALEM, did you say in these prayers only west Jerusalem? If you dig for artifacts in Eastern Jerusalem you may find some remnants of the ottoman roamn years but you will find mostly Jewish Artifacts with no Arab or Palestinian ones. When That Part of Jerusalem was called Trans Jordan (never Palestine) why did they not decide then to make it thewir Capital and run to Amman to complain. Mostly why is it that they little in the way of landed Immigrant status in their Arab Countries?

Has something changed? Did I not receive the memo?

" Jerusalem was not `in Jewish hands` prior to `48 ... Jews and Arabs lived there, but the mandate for the city was British-Jordanian..." There was no "Jordanian" Mandate for the city. You are just making things up. Plus, East Jerusalem was a majority Jewish -- that is -- until Jordan captured it and kicked them all out for 19 years. "... Israel`s current desire to hog the whole city unilaterally is illegal, unwise and chauvanistic..." Jordan tried to hog the whole city, and, in fact, did hog the whole eastern half of it. Oh, wait, the only reason it's even THOUGHT of as an eastern half is because it was held by Arabs, Jew-free for 19 years. Under Israeli control BOTH people live there on BOTH halves. Under Jordanian control (again, only for 9 years), both people only lived on the Israeli side. Who's trying to hog it Esther? Be honest!

Exactly what is meant by Jerusalem?"Its borders under David hemelech (as determined by G-d for sure !) certainly differed considerably from that under "BIbi". Soon Maale Adumim will also morphe into this new Jerusalem. Surely, within the hugely expanded Jerusalem of Bibi, there is ample space for a Palestinian al Quds. David

Sweden is a rich country partly due to its WW2 actions. Well known and respected author-journalist Maria-Pia Bothius tells of transit shipments of German troops through Sweden to Norway and Finland, iron ore exports to Germany, Swedish censorship and other examples showing that Swedish neutrality amounted to support for the German. She also remebers us about Swedish businessmen, representing "neutral" banks and corporations, who cooperated with their counterparts in Nazi-Germany; specifically, there is a focus on the Wallenberg family and their Stockholm Enskilda Bank. Cloaking, or hiding the true Nazi business ownership from Allies is noted, as is the way neutral banks, including Enskilda, helped to dispose of assets looted from occupied territory or Jews. Plus ça (Sweden) change, plus ça c'est la même chose.

I understand that you are all for peace and coexistence as long as the Arab is the "day laborer". I doubt you would like a reversal of these roles. David

Memo to Israel-don't divide Jerusalem over the EU.

sounds like the Israeli Foreign Minister. He obviously doesn't know that any EU draft is watered down, no matter what it's about, before it's agreed and signed by all the Member States. That's the name of the game. It certainly does not prove the failure of the Swedish Presidency, quite the contrary. The Foreign Ministry seems to have forgotten what the final document actually did say. Look again, Lieberman Ministry for Delusions and Trite Arguments. "a way should be found to make it the capital of two nations, Israel and a future Palestinian state". Get it? You won't find a way, that's for sure. But a way will be found, that's for certain.

Jews in general and Israel in particular. Indeed, Sweden has caused a lot of damaged to all of us, Europeans, and it will take a while to repair it.

Belgium has several languages spoken, let's divide Brussels into a separate capital for the Flemish and French Belgians. Then let's divide Stockholm into a city that is owned by Sweden, Finland, and Russia. While we're about dividing cities up, let's see if minorities in Paris, Rome, and other EU cities would like control. We can then divide each city based on who wants to make demands even if the wars fought over the cities were lost by the aggressors centuries ago...That the EU and the UN have supported the Palestinian objective of dividing Jerusalem is pathetic. Sure Palestinians need a homeland, but the ONLY reason they want J'lem is because it is Israel's capital. Arabs NEVER made J'lem a capital city. Why do it now?

Sweden needs to wake up. Asking that another nation divide it's own capital in order not to cause a political divide in the EU is ethnocentrism in it's highest form.

... I am saying: A lot of people like me are fed up with right-wing rhetoric and I would like to make it very clear: ISRAEL YES - SETTLEMENTS NO. EAST JERUSALEM WILL BE THE CAPITAL OF A FUTURE PALESTINE IN THE WEST BANK AND GAZA. THE PALESTINIANS, HOWEVER, WILL HAVE TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO THEIR REFUGEES. 1967 FOR 1948. THE GENEVA ACCORD IS THE SOLUTION!

.. one of the next EU steps is economic sanctions and, eventually, then the loss of USA financial support... then we'll see who is 'broke'

"Israel must not play "divide and rule" with the 27-member European Union" Fact is Moslims have lost their popularity in Europe, especially in Sweden. FM's are afraid their socialist parties will lose in elections Naturally they accuse Israel of that. but in their confusion the EU FM's did not notice that with this draft they effectively recognized Jeruzalem as Israel's capital

Israel continues to perpetrate this myth. It is two cities and it must be the captial of two nations. Sweden and all of Europe know that and are simply stating a fact. Israel will find itself increasingly isolated over this and the world is really fed up with their arrognace and sense of ingratitude. It really excels that of any other nation.

If dividing Jerusalem brings this never ending war to an end, then, it should be done. No wall in the world is worth the blood of 18 year-old youth. If we could really know that dividing Jerusalem will end the Arab's determination to destroy Israel...

The population of Jerusalem was majority, or plurality Jewish until British/Jordan Palestine cleansed it of its Jewish population and Europe doesnt care about that. They are promoting racism and preventing peace. The census was very clearly Jewish in E Jerusalem until the Arabs changed it prior to Israel's re-creation. It was only Arab for 29 years, hardly significant.

While I am not reading quotes but news paraphrases, it seems fair to say Sweden is promoting racism not peace in the Middle East and Israel should go full force diplomatically to explain that throughout Europe. I Sweden doesnt want to promote peace, maybe other European countries do, because the text I read from Sweden promotes racism, not peace. In fact it prevents peace.

ther is a voluntary boycot against Israel, why can't you notice reality.

when they fully aware that the annexation of EAST JERUSALEM was in flagrant VIOLATION of the International Law. East Jerusalem is an OCCUPIED city, the whole world knows it, tell me now, which country does not know that?apart of course Israeli RW, and few americans. Will we ever have Peace with the Muslim world if East Jerusalem is not the CAPITAL of the State of Palestine? common be realistic. Question is do WE want Peace or not? Answer from a MINORITY Jews is NO, NO, NO.

Seeing as you are so close to Jerusalem and have a strong point of view about all matters -especially the settlers, please enlighten the Haareatz readers as to the physical condition of most of the Eastern part of Jerusalem as it was then under Jordanian rule. It was not the religious entity it is today. It was not the demanded capital of the Palestinians or the Jordanians as they really are Jordanians. East Jerusalem was a dumping ground. It was not afforded high religious status till the Jews captured the city and brought it out of the quagmire it was in. This is why Jerusalem should not be divided.

As Moroccan i do believe that Jerusalem must be united cos there is one Jerusalem which promised to the jews. Come on Palestians!!! Have you forget Islam??? The main Important is The mosque not the city. The city does not belong to Arabs neither to Muslims. So Just reread the Coran and choose between "Be Muslim" or be " Ruller"

Divide Jerusalem. What an ignorant idea. Did Sweden learn nothing from World War II? Dividing Berlin didn't work and neither will dividing Jerusalem. Think a little like King Solomon, everyone should choose a different city for a capitol and leave Jerusalem alone.

DIVIDE JERUSELEM OR GIVE PALASTINIANS EQAUL RIGHTS TO JERUSELEM

Although Jerusalem was originally going to be a international city and split. But you are correct about no Pal state...or people...between 48-67. In fact the Pals are NOT ever mentioned in UN Res.242 after the Six Day War because they didn't exist as a separate entity at the time. The Arabs prior to 1940 thought as themselves as Syrian, part of a greater Syria which included Trans Jordan (now Jordan) as well. This is well documented by English and Arab writers in numerous books and statements. The Arab leaders of Palestine were members of the Syrian Parliament as the historical record shows. Proving beyond question that the Palestinian Arab is a PR myth, but one that now must be dealt with no matter how unfair it is to Israel. It was...and is...the most highly successful PR creation of a people ever. We must give credit where credit is due, the Arabs clearly won that PR campaign.

"...anyway i will ask to my president not to follow this direction. mr sarkozy doesn`t say the same in france.." France is still part of the EU, isn't it Daniel? And EU has all the right in the world to issue statements about the occupied Palestinian territories, indeed about any breaches of the Geneva Conventions. Just like Mr Sharon had the right to invite all French Jews to move to Israel, even though not his invitation didn't go down well in France. Anyway, please send our regards to Mr Sarkozy when you tell him not to be loyal to the EU decisions.

Israel is not obligated to the EU or its Presidency. It is a sovereign state and must decide issues based upon its view of political and strategic issues. Given the EU's economic problems, the EU Presidency seems focused on the wrong issues.

... Jews and Arabs lived there, but the mandate for the city was British-Jordanian... ... Israel's current desire to hog the whole city unilaterally is illegal, unwise and chauvanistic...

Jerusalem was once Jebusite and Judean, and Persian and Greek and Roman, and Arab and Christian and Muslim and Brittish and whatever. It has had all these different peoples and tribes and religions polluting the skies above with their pitty prayers like so many other places in the world. Jerusalem is not Jewish or Muslim or Christian it is a challenge to us from God to love one another.

Hey KL I betta you did not post anything when the Hamas sent rockets to Israel and killed inocent civilians. Did you tell them enough is enough?

... connection between a Muslim regime and the city of Bern... ... whereas there are centuries of history between Arabs and Jerusalem... Arab Palestine was the hinterland of Jerusalem... ... hence Jerusalem should be the shared capital of Israel and the future State of Palestinian... a unique symbol of peace and amity, not a bone of contention gnawed at perpetually by Israel...

...heretofore never existed. Israel captured land from jordan and egypt and when it leaves it must retain what is Israels right the rest can go back to jordan and egypt.

1985 so long ago I worked on a kibbutz as an American volunteer. The kibbutz had some Arab day laborers I got to know one very well and he even invited me to his home. The subject of peace between Arab and Israelis came up. I still think to this day that this simple day laborer said the most intelligent words I ever heard to this day on the subject. " I want to work to support my family. I want my children to grow up in a world of peace and opportunity. If someone can do this for me and all of our peoples why should I care if he is a Muslim or a Jew " If peace and opportunity were brought to the region. These problems will work themselves out with ease. If solutions are settled without this we will always have problems no matter how good or bad the solution. Now I need to find an even more intelligent person than this day laborer. Someone who can lead or should I say people who can lead from all sides to make this a reality. impossible dreams do come true. Israel is one

Whether the text was watered down or not is not the point. The point is the more public awareness and openess in saying that Israel's annexation of East Jerusalem is unacceptable and that there will be reprecussions for Israel's illegal activities in their attempt to completely judaise the city and its environs. If they continue on that course there will be a proce to pay.

Israel is not obligated to the EU or its Presidency. It is a sovereign state and must decide issues based upon its view of political and strategic issues. 3 EU nations are broke, Ireland, Spain, and Greece; and more may following shortly. Maybe the EU Presidency is focused on the wrong issue?

but rather that they will not come while the Isrealis continue to build settlements on land that is suppose to be under negotiations - no believes that there can be peace without a divided Jerusalem, the US is correct to assert that this is a questions that has to be answered by both parties but both parties have a claim to Jerusalem and that will never change, demographics (the Palestinians are a far younger population and more prolific in reproducing) will ultimately determine the outcome. And it may go down in history that in the efforts to take everything, Palestinian and Jew got nothing - indeed, both parties will ultimately have to come to the realization that only a binational state will work. There is absolutely no way you can create and independent Palestine in the territories, it is too fragmented while at the same time they are not going anywhere.

Jerusalem is Israeli.. west bank settlements however, are NOT.

... until Israel took over, and made the approach to the town so complicated and so retstrictive, that an entire tourist 'industry' that existed in Arab Bethlehem dwindled to what it is today, also many livlihoods were lost...

It is entertaining - albeit it must be embarassing to sensible Isarelis - to see how Israel fails to understand the process of successful international neegotiation. The Presidency produces a draft document, reflecting their understanding of what is acceptable to all the parties; the parties discuss, and may modify it; andwe end up with a document everyone can sign up to. And then we have a bigmouth in Israel coming and attacking the Presidency with racist remarks about Swedish industry. What does this tell us about Israel? 1) that they don't understand international negotiation. No surprise. 2) that they can't distinguish between a country putting forward its own views and a Presidency trying to find a compromise. Again, maybe no surprise, given the Israeli reaction to the concept of "compromise". 3) that they're perfectly willing to indulge in the sort of racist remark which if made about Jews would make them (and me) scream.

No one can reverse this now. Jerusalem need to be settled for the two peoples. West for Jews, East for Pallestinians.

This is your answer Rat? Threats that the West Bank should look at what Israel has done to Gaza with its forced closer of borders and by happy with what it has? Threats to the international community that Israel will close off access religious sites? So i fI understand u are basically saying allow Israel to do what it wants or ELSE? Truly sad, RAT.

I thought that Jerusalem was originally in Jewish hands, and that the Arabs took half of it by force in '48, with British help. Therefore, one would assume that the Israeli recovered in '67 what they had originally stolen from them, and not as reported by your correspondent - captured. Talking about that - where was the State of Palestine between 1948 and 1967, if they claim the other half of Jerusalem? It certainly does not appear in any of my atlases or maps covering that period!! It is shown as Jordan West Bank. What is the basis for the Hamas / PLO right to live there? or is this just a new fiction?

Perhaps they'd like to split Oslo between Norway and Sweden. After all, it's not THAT far from the Swedish border, is it now! Why on earth should it be exclusively Norwegian?

The day the Swiss people will accept making their capital (Bern), a joint capital of Switzerland and a Muslim state, I will be willing to consider making my capital Jerusalem a joint capital of Israel and a Palestinian State! Now it is up to Swiss (Dingo) to go and make a POLL is Switzerland I am waiting for the results!

this brilliant fm will threaten everyone so that every country will be friends of israel. avi work your magic! you cannot imagine how much respect lieberman has in the world community.

its funny, every time one country disagree with Israel is no longer neutral friends,soon Israel will run out of friends

as a french citizen i disagree with mr bildt i think he has no right to speak about jerusalem anyway i will ask to my president not to follow this direction mr sarkozy doesn't say the same in france EU ? UN ? the same proud french jewish doctor

The Israeli response is devisive and emotional. Again it fails to present any factual information supporting its position. The reason is that Israel has no basis in fact for its abusive policies and practices towards Palestinians. Israel maintains a facade of deceit.

Did anyone else catch the irony? Maybe if this guy understands how uncomfortable it is to have a divided political environment, he would understand Israels discomfort with a divided Capital.

Sweden has never been truly neutral. Just look at the following quote from the Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia concerning Sweden's actions during World War II. "During the invasion of Scandinavia, Sweden kept neutral, but because much of their income was generated by exporting iron, they continued to sell it to Nazi Germany." How many Allied soldiers died from bombs and shells made with Swedish steel? Money talks now as it did then so why should they not throw their full support for the Arab cause. Things will probably get worse as their moslem population continues to grow.

Think you are wrong, Sandra. I've seen Avigdor Lieberman smile. Doesn't make me take him more seriously.

I desperately hope the present Israeli government should realize that a new time is here. The US and the EU are not any longer going to accept that Israel shold be supported whatever they do. The recent horrendous killings in Gaza and the theft of Arab homes and land in East Jerusalem is a clear wittness to the rest of the world that somehing is very sick in Israel. Enough is enough!

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt warned Thursday that Israel must not play "divide and rule" am i the only one who thinks Bildt is being Ironic? "Sweden has done nothing over recent months to advance the Middle East peace process" infact thier actions over the last year have caused to peace process to even further derail... The EU should listen to America and let the parties involved (Israel and its dissident Arab populous[pals]) to negotiate a final settlement... unilateral declarations such as the EU has made will only go to enlarge the schism between Israel and its territories...

Perhaps one could take Mr. Carl Bildt more seriously if he could give us a pleasant smile! Alas. Perhaps we should have to wait till the Third Temple is built and for the Messiah's return, before we can say anything about Jerusalem and a Palestinian State. If Jerusalem can be divided, why not the EU? Europe was divided, particularly France, even the monarch and his brother over the Dreyfus Trial, so there are precedents. If Berlin is united, and hence the EU now has 27 members, why should not Jerusalem be united? Just read the Psalms this Christmas, and perhaps you will have a better appreciation of the facts, spiritual and otherwise.

In war and in peace dividing the enemies has been one of the main secrets for its winning. Obama maybe using this tactic to split Israel over the settlements while getting the PA ready to form a Government.

...is full of Arabs.Who else could mastermind such a proposal which would take Israel back to the middle ages. Honestly, the East Jerusalem Israeli Arabs and the West Bank Arab population should examine their life standard and compare it to those in Gaza.As well as should the international community if they want to con't visiting the ancient Christian holy sites. Look at Bethlehem and the decrease of tourism to the area.

Really? No mather what we think about mr Bildt, one thing is clear. He did not fail. All 27 memberstates of the EU accepted the same text over something as controversial as the status of Jerusalem. He sure succeded. And one more thing... I'm not sure your headline is correct. Wouldn't call it a warning. He is simply saying that EU agreed yesterday. EU speak with one voice. Is that a warning?

It is kinda amusing and sad at the same time that the ISraeli Foreign Ministry official feels that he has the upper hand in educating Sweden that the peace process is not like an Ikea furniture and that it takes more than a screw and a hammer - Israel has time and again proven beyond any reasonable doubt that it is master of the Hammer-solution. Israel is the regions main destructive force. Hammer is it's language.