日本語
한국어
Polski
Deutsch
Nederlands
Español
Français
Português
Italiano
Svenska
繁體中文
Dansk
// DOSSIER — israel-bars-swedish-meps-entering-country
Israel Bars Two Swedish MEPs From Entering Country Over Alleged Anti-Israel Activity
REL_TIME: 25 Aug 2026 00:44Z · LANG: EN
On August 24, 2026, Israel barred Swedish European Parliament members Jonas Sjöstedt and Hanna Gedin of the Left Party from entering the country to visit the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar ordered the ban under Israel's Entry Law, accusing the lawmakers of spreading false allegations of genocide and starvation in Gaza and advocating for the prosecution of Israelis in international courts. Sjöstedt rejected the 'anti-Israel' label, asserting his opposition is directed at government policies, while Palestinian officials condemned the ban as an attempt to silence international scrutiny.
// Background
Israel's Law for Entry into Israel was expanded by the Knesset in February 2025. The expansion extended existing bans on boycott advocates to include individuals who deny the Holocaust or the October 7, 2023 massacres, as well as those who advocate for the prosecution of Israeli citizens or IDF soldiers in foreign courts. Throughout 2025, Israel utilized these regulations to bar several European delegations, including British Labour MPs and 27 left-wing French lawmakers.
// Key Developments
- Israel denied entry to Swedish MEPs Jonas Sjöstedt and Hanna Gedin, who planned to visit Palestinian Authority-controlled areas, including refugee camps and Save the Children.
- Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar invoked Israel's Entry Law, citing the MEPs' promotion of international legal proceedings against Israelis and accusations of genocide in Gaza.
- Sjöstedt rejected the 'anti-Israel' label, clarifying that he opposes Israeli government policy but recognizes Israel's right to exist and condemns the October 7 attacks.
- Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard defended national sovereignty over entry regulations, questioning why the MEPs chose to travel despite active travel advisories.
- The incident follows a series of similar entry denials in 2025 targeting European, British, and French lawmakers.
// Timeline
-
The Knesset expands the Law for Entry into Israel; a European Parliament delegation cancels its trip after two lawmakers are barred.
-
Two British Labour MPs are denied entry at Ben Gurion Airport; later that month, Israel cancels visas for 27 left-wing French officials.
-
Swedish MEPs Jonas Sjöstedt and Hanna Gedin are barred from entering Israel en route to the West Bank, being stopped during transit in Athens and at check-in.
// Perspectives
[Israeli Foreign Ministry]
Asserts that the MEPs consistently act against Israel by spreading false accusations of genocide and starvation, and must be barred under the Law for Entry into Israel.
[Jonas Sjöstedt and Hanna Gedin]
Argue they are opposing illegal occupation and government policies rather than Israel itself, and seek to document humanitarian conditions in the West Bank.
[Swedish Foreign Ministry]
Acknowledges consular assistance was provided but maintains that Israel has sovereign authority over its entry regulations and notes existing travel advisories.
[Palestinian National Council]
Condemns the ban as an authoritarian attempt to silence international critics and disregard international law regarding parliamentary work.
// Quotes
“I am against the Israeli government’s policy toward Palestine.”
“Why Jonas Sjöstedt and Hanna Gedin nevertheless choose to travel there is something they themselves need to answer.”
“an attempt to impose silence by force and turn criticism of the occupation into an accusation, in clear disregard for international law and the moral immunity afforded to parliamentary work”
