Stockholm – Sweden and the Netherlands have sent a new letter to the EU urging the implementation of sanctions against both Israel and Hamas, as reported by Sveriges Radio Ekot.
The letter is directed to foreign minister Kaja Kallas and aims to prompt the EU into action, according to Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard.
“We must end the suffering in Gaza. We need to increase pressure on the Israeli government to permit humanitarian aid and on Hamas as well,” she stated in an interview with Sveriges Radio.
In June, Sweden had already addressed a letter to the EU and Kaja Kallas, calling for sanctions against what they referred to as “extremist Israeli ministers” promoting settlement solutions. This current demand reinforces that previous request and also reiterates calls for the EU to freeze its trade agreement with Israel. The latest letter additionally proposes sanctions on Hamas’s political leadership.
According to Maria Malmer Stenergard, imposing sanctions on Israeli ministers would impact their ability to transfer funds internationally and travel.
“It is a powerful tool and a very clear political statement.”
(August 28)
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