Sweden FM cancels Israel trip amid 'organ harvesting' row

God bless Sweden.Israel with all it's Jewish buddies in England and America still isn't able to buy every one on this planet made by God for all.bravo Bildt

Sweden and Finland argue a lot over icehockey. (Those bastards beat us yesterday, 8-3). Sweden and Denmark argue over football, and Sweden-Norway argue over skiing. This does not, however, mean that we dont love eachother. We are a big family, believe me, and all families argue sometimes. I dont like it when a canadian tells me who I like and dislike.

The governmentof Israel would have used his visit as an occasion to embbarras him and Sweden. Some fanatic zionist might have tried to assasinate him. Better for him not to enter this snakepit.

Sweden is NOT important to the peace process. In order to be "important", you need to be at least impartial, at best, classy. The Swedish Government showed no class in this affair. While it wasn't responsible for the article, it would have been a minor thing to issue a statement distancing itself from its content. Carl Bildt is the same whimp as a foreign minister, he was as a prime minister. I am glad he's staying home.

and the Swedish minister chose to switch his plans. You people sure are goood at blame shifting,not so good at getting out of the colony you occupy.

You conviently forgot to mention that Sweden was the only nation in 1600 allowing jews to settle and do business (but keep in mind now that all these laws was for business, after all money talks better than religious books)in Europe. And Sweden and Norway was not the same nation more than we had a uniun for a short time. Norway had the same king as Denmark (wich a historian would now). Fun to learn how we look upon Norwegians and Finns too, we didnt know that we felt like that about them, nice to learn that from a Canadian? But never mind, its easier for you to belive what you wanna belive.

True, Sweden is not a player in the mideast. But unlike Israel it is capable of designing and producing world-class fighter aircraft.

"Swweden shuts down web site because of Mohammad pics" So you know how to google old news. Good for you. But let me tell you something. The swedish FM who closed this website (her name is Laila Frevalls) was FIRED for doing so. She violated the swedish constitution, and lost her job. Get the facts, please.

in Denmark lived 3000 jews that came to sweden and I was one of them.not 10000!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A vigilant and free Press is a critical institution.

The israeli people keeps electing extremists over an over that wont do anything about the illegal settlements, and in fact the support them. Why not put israeli-EU relations on ice until israel elects a moderate leadership. Just pretending everything is allright is not going to benefit the israeli peolpe.

..."free speech" he has and denounce all acts of blood libels, including the one recently initiated and spread by his fellow Swedes, I see no reason why he should be welcome to Israel or be dealt with anywhere.

"Moslem votes" How many muslims can vote in Swedish national elections? I hope your expertise won't fail to answer this easy question ...

Don't confuse the core issue with Israel's politics or Sweeden'd place in the EU, or confusing Sweeden with the EU. Simply, the issue is that a Swedish newspaper publishes a blatently anti-Semitic article. The Swedish government should have condemned it. It didn't. Apparently, free speech in Sweeden is more important than rejecting racism. The Swedish minister should stay home and hide his head in shame.

And where in my post did I say "greatest foreign minister in the history of Israel" Your OCD with my obsession with Lieberman is eating you up inside. I know it is hurricane season at the moment in Florida and humidity has been close to 100%, but I am reliably informed it is bearable if you turn the air conditioning on. As for the Google search thingie, there is a point, the fact is this story was on page 19 of an obscure Swedish newspaper that nobody has ever heard of. Lieberman makes a fuss and it is available on the internet in it's english translation if you wish to read it. Now the Foreign Minister of the EU has cancelled a visit. You in Florida can probably live without buying from the EU or selling to the EU but I assure you Israel cannot. But hey you want to have a pop at me for thinking Lieberman is the best foreign minister in the history of Israel go ahead. The fact is he is, and he has my full respect for the work he is doing for Israel.

"So, as usual, your point is pointless". Which is why of course you felt the need to reply to my post. My point is that an article on Page 19 of a newspaper published in Sweden would not have garnered anywhere near the attention that it has garnered if Lieberman had not made such a fuss. As for my believing that Lieberman is the greatest Foreign Minister in the history of the State of Israel. I believe that to be true. The fact is you were happier when I pointed out that Lieberman was a nightclub bouncer from Moldova because that meant that I was being disrespectful. Now I agree with you that Lieberman makess a great Foreign Minister you are still not happy. Schizophrenia is a funny thing.

if you olud be a serious lecturer, you had mentioned, that in the 19th century Sweden a minimum immigration of a l l nationalities. And not just jews ! If thy were "anti" than begin with germans, norwegians, finns etc. Finding an anti-semitic attitude is ridiculous.

Your obsession/compulsion with Lieberman, now taking the form of burping out the words "greatest foreign minister in the history of Israel" is destroying you from within. Paralyzed by the O.C.D., you've become but a shell of a human being, just sitting there waiting for the next article which contains the name "Lieberman" so that you can post the same, inane drivel. Help is available, Linthwaite. It's too bad you're not strong enough to seek it. As for "Meanwhile google Israel harvests Palestinian Organs and you get 67400 hits", how many "hits" do you get when you google "Islamic terrorism"? (1,050,000) or "anti semitism"? (784,000). Heck, a google search of "Chris Linthwaite Haaretz" will get you nearly 2,000 hits. So, as usual, your point is pointless.

I think Sweden still has the least corrupt politicians and heads the list of democratic nations. You should note that Illinois is one of the most corrupt states in the USA. I could tell a few stories how the cronyism works and it does exclude us who have no connections; however, you are lucky that Obama is one of the few good men we have here, but he is a transplant from Hawaii. Our public corruption is so bad that it became a joke on t.v. re: our governor. It really isn't a joke; it is BAD. How is Israel? corrupt politicians too? You are probably lucky to have Sweden as a peace broker also. Russia I doubt is any good as any peace maker or broker.

I think the Scandinavian countries lead the world in terms of democracy: transparency and least corruption; and I think Russia is at the bottom. The USA is in the middle: corrupt politicians we have. Sweden is sponsoring Turkey's bid for the EU. This is extremely important for the peace in the region. It shows that Sweden has less prejudice and discrimination than France or Germany against muslims and probably Jews also. I really don't understand Israel right now since I don't live there, only what I read in Haaretz, etc. and only that Lieberman does not look like he should be FM.

Nowadays most people with only an average education, are not really in a mood to spend their precious time discussing 24/7 so called "Holocaust" by our allies the Nazis, that nobody with only a tiny little bit of intelli- gence believes in..... ....especially if people (politicians) get the impression that the whole "Holocaust business" is "politi- cally motivated". Or in other words, (ab)used by the Israeli governement in order to deflect from the current wave of Nazi allied Hamas attacks on Sderot policies... http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/objects/pages/ResponseDetails.jhtml?resNo=5221394&itemno=1112574&cont=2

Simply AMAZING that a nation like Spain, with a history of violent and virulent Antisemitism dating back to the 15th century, can condemn a blood libel like el Mundo's calling Irving an "expert" on Jewish History without affecting the Freedom of Press of that country, and Swedish media taking blood libel to its new heights and their government is stupefied. Deja vu 1939 in Europe.

I have another view: Sweden as head of the EU this year is serving a very important position as it sponsors Turkey into the EU. This would benefit Israel more than anyone. The democratic changes in Turkey are important, and the willingness of EU countries France and Germany to admit a muslim country are equally important. These democratic changes MUST occur in order to assure Israel's survival. Sweden in sponsoring Turkey in the EU is doing Israel a big favor in supporting PEACE in the region. Don't think otherwise. Swedish were peaceniks I thought: Dag Hammerskjold, etc. I am not sure this article should have received that much attention; since it has been suggested it was linked to another event in NJ that was made too much of in the news since NJ is known to have corrupt politicians.

If you'd done your homework you'd know that the minister that ordered the shutdown of that site was FIRED immediately. The site in question was restored quickly.

and you do not see it as Israel interfering with Sweden's internal affairs? So when an Israeli newspaper publishes an article which denies that the territories are illegally occupied. And the United States government objects. Netanyahu is going to condemn that article as a fabrication is he? No I didn't think so, one rule for Israel another for everyone else.

I am a swedish jew from a family that fled from Germany to Sweden in 1939. You are right in that Sweden was late in granting jews the right to live in the country (1700's) Not last though. However, your description is flawed. For instance, the law you referr to that was taken away in 1951 was never enforced after around 1850. There are lots of strange old laws in many countries that are just old remnants and not enforced (check in other countries as well). Also, in contrast to many other european countries, Sweden has NEVER persecuted jews. Jews have always been able to live in the country in peace and there has been no need to "hide". Oh, and no, Swedes, do not look down on fins, norwegians or danes (or anyone else). Don't mistake the friendly bantering between neighbours as something else.

...against the Jewish people which was originated in Sweden and spread by Swedish people. He is welcome of course to use his "free speech" in order to denounce that which he disaprove, assuming he disaprove of this blood libel, or does he?

created by Lieberman when this story was first published is beginning to dissapate. Yet the original allegations have not gone away. Which shows just how effective Lieberman has been. Then of course Bildt not showing up further isolates Israel. As it reinforces the point that Israel has something to hide. Instead of showing Bildt proof that the story is a lie, Israel created the conditions so Bildt decides not to show up. And people seeing the smokescreen set off by the greatest foreign miniser in the history of Israel dissapates, are asking well there is no smoke without fire. Meanwhile google Israel harvests Palestinian Organs and you get 67400 hits.

Swedish government was asked to comment on the content of article, not to prevent it's publication. Swedish defenders of the "freedom of press" don't seem to know what it actually means.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4700414.stm What happened to freedom of speech? Oh, that is right. We are Jews. B"H

Try the Wall Street Journal, you might get a different perspective

A disturbing question, no doubt. Israel has the right,through diplomatic channels to be informed as to why such a decision was made. Speculation to an "Icy Reception" is vague. Speculation that upholding the freedom of the press, even though said report was downright rubbish is not clear. However, relations between countries cannot be governed over populist demands. Relations between Sweden and Israel cannot be compromised over spats. Both Israel and Sweden must step up to the responsibilities of true diplomacy, so that harmony may return as was before. Good day from chilly Swiss Alps.

Sweden,that included Norway in XIX Century, were the last European countries to allow Jew to settle and grant Jews legal rights.,While a number of Jews lived in Sweden, practicing their rituals in secret,a Jewish community was not officially established until the 1770's.Samson Efraim visited Sweden on business in 1702.More Jewish businessman came to Sweden because of the demands of the East Indian Company and,in 1733,Jews were allowed to visit auctions in Goteborg.Until 1860,Jews were only allowed to live in Stockholm,Goteborg.In 1840,about 900 Jews lived in Sweden.in 1838 when King Charles XIV removed some of the restrictions placed on Jews.The last prohibitions was not removed until 1951,blocking Jews from political offices. Swedes racism is crystalizing now.I emphasize Swedish racism and discriminatory attitudes are not exclussively antisemtic.Swedes look down at Norwegians whom they consider oefs(Norway separated from Sweden in 05',Swedes despise Fins..Why Jews now? Moslem votes!!

Finally someone with some sence here!! you are right on the spot and if FM Bildt dont show up in Yerushalaim it will remove Israel from the table with negotations and leaving moderate Palis with ace's at hand at that table. And that will look bad in Uncle Sams eyes too beqause this is politics at its highets chapter ruined by some kids in kindergarten. Israel lost this game!

Bildt sends his amabassador to congratulate Ahmadinejad with his "victory" in Iran and slams his amabassador in Israel for apologizing for antisemitic article. We do not recognize Sweden...

say that to the over 10,000 Jews who fled to Sweden during World War 2. Israel seems to be losing friends faster than it makes them.

"...The only real story here is shody, irresponsible Swedish journalism.."You are wrong Totally wrong.There is shody journalism in any free democratic county in Western world. Sweden is no different.The real issue in the controversy is the fact that the Swedish government refuses to condemn the basic allegation by the journalist, actualy a photopgrapher,who wrote the libelous article. Swedish government declines to take a stand and openly say that the allegations by the article are baseless.The swedish FM uses a flimsy excuse of not violating the Freedom of Press pronciple.I think the Swedes consider the Jewish state of Israel as fair game for any hostile and baseless libelous accusation. Had Swedish FM made a public statement distancing the Swedish government and Swedish people from the tenant of the article it wouldn't violate the Freedom of Press rule.It would simply convey the message that it is an opinion by a journalist.The paper can continue its lies.FMs blog isn't official.

It is a great pity because maybe he see the situation Israel is in with its neighbours and how close the borders actually are.

I feel the Swedish press has done a service. I also have heard a rumor I would like the Swedes to investigate. I have heard it said that a sects called 'Christians' gather in old buildings on Sunday morning and drink the blood and eat the body of a Jew who lived centuries ago in Palestine. I hear this has been going on for many years and I hope the swedish press will report back on this scandal.

People should not be flattered by what Moratinos did; he surely got a phone call in the middle of the night from his American counterpart to do so in the same way he was told to shelve the war crimes trial. Israel has to get used to no longer being treated with kid gloves by the world community and the Swedish government is right in not meddling with the freedom of its press. What is Israel afraid of about this story of organ harvesting? It has already been established that some people in Israel were into it in the past and on more than one occasion. This does not mean that the whole of the Israeli population was approving of it and it surely happens in other countries. Israel should stop with the business that it is more moral than any other; it's not.

Anything to avoid peace and continuing theft of land.

While Lieberman gets a D, Sweden gets a C minus. They didn't simply refuse to condemn the article, they censured an embassy employee who condemned the article. And the only reason they did it is because they were overcompensating for a fiasco a couple of years ago when a govt minister criticized the decision by a swedish paper to publish the mohammed cartoons. Because that became a scandal which forced a mini govt crisis and the resignation of that minister, the current swedish govt thought it had to be even handed and condemn the embassy employee for criticizing the article. Too bad Israel is stuck with someone like Lieberman as FM. This would never have happened on Abba Eban's watch.

Read Washington Post, The Economist, Der Spiegel or what have you. People around the globe are just stunned by the incompetence of the Israeli government. How can they manage to get in a row with Sweden and the EU over a silly, minor article, published in a stupid tabloid? An old jewish friend, who fled from Austria to Sweden in 1938, said: I no longer recognize Israel. They have gone crazy The reason is of course the radicalization of the israeli society, caused by the large immigration from the old Soviet Union. People who have grown up under religious oppression and with no experience in freedom of press. Unfortunately, the attacks are more or less irrelevant for the Nordic countries, but harms Israel deeply. For an outside observer, the idiotic comments by Lieberman sounds very similar to Ahmadinejad's ranting. There is a growing belief in the US and EU that Israel is trying to focus on irrelevant issues, in order to avoid the important questions, e.g. Gaza, Settlements etc.

Israel does not need Sweden one bit.

Israeli political echelon shooting in its own feet. After all Israel needs the EU more than the EU needs a brazently belligerent little country that does not know the fine manners of how to behave properly.

Nowadays most people with only an average education, are not really in a mood to spend their precious time discussing 24/7 so called "blood libels" from the Middle Ages, that nobody with only a tiny little bit of intelli- gence believes in..... ....especially if people (politicians) get the impression that the whole outrage is "politi- cally motivated". Or in other words, (ab)used by the Israeli governement in order to deflect from the current wave of criticism on its (settlement) policies...

Idiot

Maybe mr Yehuda Hiss should be invited to explain a thing or two about disppearing organs....

the head of a country that believes jews eat the blood of children for passover should be ashamed of itself

A hiatus in pressure from the EU, especially when traditionally pro-palestinian Swedes hold the EU presidency.

Sweden refusing to condemn a blood libel, confuses freedom of speech with hate speech. Free speech should never be taken lightly. Free speech should never be used as a platform to disseminate racial, ethnic or religious hatred. Sweden is a major sponsor of anti-Semitic NGOs which consistently defame Israel with lies, innuendo, propaganda and spin. For well over a decade, Sweden has deliberately and carefully looked for and found ways to secretly and openly fund the Palestinian propaganda and physical war against the Jews. Modern anti-Semitism in Sweden : http://xrl.us/bfe4kj

Was the outcome of this incident good for Israel? Bad relations with a major European state that also holds the EU presidency at the very moment that Israel seeks to upgrade relations with the European Union. All this damage to Israel and Israeli interests over an obscure article that nobody of consequence ever took seriously. Will Israel now drop the issue as the Swedish minister will not condemn the article?

...Sweden.

sweeden never had, nor will it ever have, relevance to the middle east conflict.

It's unfortunate that this whole episode has snow balled into an avalanche of diplomatic recrimination. Leiberman's over confrontational approach, smearing the Swedish government and people and history with antisemitism, was a crude attempt to correct a problem that was over the top and backfired. Swedish neutrality, whether it goes against Israel too often, is nonetheless a valuable asset as a middleman in much of the Palestinian Israeli conflict, and to attack the umpire is poor sportsmanship, even if his judgement is flawed. It may be pointed out but to disrupt the game works against us too.

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The controversy goes on and still no one bothers to provide any evidence that the organ harvesting charges are true. Even the original article's author admits there is no proof. The only real story here is shoddy, irresponsible Swedish journalism.

where organs are much more plentiful and less costly than those of the highly coveted Palestinian kidney, known to have twice the filtering capacity of all other brands of kidney. Hint: He should visit North Korea as well, as they can use foreign exchange more than China. Their kidneys do not last as long as others but they are really indistinguishable from others.

Good Ridden

The Fumbling Minister of Israel Rabigdor Lieberman, has chosen to turn a sleazy tabloid newspaper into an international crisis. Clearly any Swede would be wise to avoid Israel at this time.