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Last update - 09:47 21/09/2009
Netanyahu accuses Sweden of trying to reach out to Hamas
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent and Agencies
Tags: Hamas, Benjamin Netanyahu 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has complained over Sweden's attempting to establish contact with Hamas, Haaretz has learned. His allegation could worsen Israel's already tense relationship with the Scandinavian country following the publication there of an inflammatory news article accusing Israeli soldiers of harvesting the organs of Palestinians.

Netanyahu complained about Sweden's alleged attempts to start a dialogue with Hamas 10 days ago in a meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos. Spain will replace Sweden as president of the European Union in January.

Netanyahu reportedly told Moratinos the Swedes are "reaching out to Hamas." Netanyahu did not specify through which sources he had learned of this. Moratinos, according to a source in the Prime Minister's Bureau, said he was not aware of such intentions, but said he would inquire about the subject with Swedish diplomats.
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Though Hamas is defined as a terrorist organization by the EU, parliamentarians from European countries meet occasionally with Hamas representatives. According to Hamas' representative in Lebanon, Usamah Hamdan, MPs from Sweden, the Netherlands and three other West European nations consulted with Hamas representatives over the past months.

Meanwhile, the Swedish chancellor of justice has decided not to launch an investigation into a newspaper that alleged Israeli soldiers kill Palestinian civilians to harvest their organs, Army Radio reported Saturday.

Swedish judicial authorities ruled that the report in the tabloid Aftonbladet did not constitute racism and was therefore legal. The ruling came in response to two requests submitted to Swedish justice officials.

According to Swedish law, a publication may be considered illegal if it is threatening or expresses contempt toward a person or group of people based on their race, ethnicity, or nationality.

The newspaper story sparked an outcry in Israel, with its author accused of disseminating "a blood libel" against the Jews. Much of the controversy was due to the article's attempts to tie Jewish criminals who trafficked in organs in New Jersey to the alleged harvesting of Palestinian organs by Israel Defense Forces soldiers.

Related articles:
  • Why Lieberman took on Sweden
  • Netanyahu to press Sweden to condemn IDF organ harvesting article
  • Comment / Lieberman wrongly stirring scandal over Sweden article

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      1.   I guess its in the DNA 06:16  |  alan the real one 21/09/09
      2.   What is the harm in merely talking to the Hamas? 06:21  |  Yesh Prabhu 21/09/09
      3.   Let the Swedes into Gaza 06:29  |  bar kochma 21/09/09
      4.   They just need to ring 963 (Syria) and then 1800 TERROR for Hamas 07:35  |  Mark Leaman 21/09/09
      5.   Let the Swedes and all journalists into Gaza. 07:43  |  harvey 21/09/09
      6.   Unsubstantiated claims 08:17  |  O 21/09/09
      7.   Swedes can talk to whoever they want 08:34  |  Brad 21/09/09
      8.   Sweden is all you`ll never be 08:56  |  Eckestein 21/09/09
      9.   Netanyahu`s Button 09:08  |  Mark of Lewiston 21/09/09
      10.   Sweden is trying to contact Hamas. 09:09  |  David Nigel Braham 21/09/09
      11.   Eckestein #8 09:21  |  Heather Czerniak 21/09/09
      12.   SWEDISWH Jihadists arrested in Pakistan! Stockholm syndrome 09:26  |  PETER SM 21/09/09
      13.   Bibi pushes another friend into the enemy camp. 09:45  |  Michael 21/09/09
      14.   ECKESTEIN Exactly.Israel will never be an Arab colony! 09:47  |  PETER SM 21/09/09
      15.   to Eckerstein 09:54  |  Harry 21/09/09
      16.   #2 Yesh Prabhu, Yesh Gvul in reinforcing the image of Swedes as 09:56  |  Canadian Scientist 21/09/09
      17.   It would be a good idea for Israel to start talking to Hamas. 10:02  |  Maureen Ann 21/09/09
      18.   Peter & Ekstein... 10:20  |  B 21/09/09
      19.   Pick your battles? 10:36  |  John 21/09/09
      20.   peter sm 13 10:37  |  potobac 21/09/09
      21.   observation re "Canadian Scientist" 10:43  |  potobac 21/09/09
      22.   Maureen Ann-#16-Hamas is talking to Israel and about the Jews 11:09  |  Daniel Leopold 21/09/09
      23.   Maybe not reach out to Hamas, but... 11:27  |  Anne 21/09/09
      24.   More you isolate your enemy... 11:34  |  Anne 21/09/09
      25.   maureen ann "it would be a good idea for israel to start talking 11:42  |  amir 21/09/09
      26.   Canadian Scientist #15, Sweden is a model nation 11:53  |  Yesh Prabhu 21/09/09
      27.   Lets get real 12:02  |  had enough 21/09/09
      28.   talking to your enemies 12:02  |  jerome 21/09/09
      29.   POTOBAC you have confirmed my suspicions 12:47  |  PETER SM 21/09/09
      30.   Many Swedish decision makers have been influenced by East Germany 13:22  |  Absolute Sweden 21/09/09
      31.   sweden hamas 16:53  |  zoe 21/09/09
      32.   Sweden Hamas 23:46  |  wagner 21/09/09
      33.   peter sm 29 23:56  |  potobac 21/09/09
      34.   #21 observation on ptobac, regarding "Canadian scientist" 02:42  |  Oleg 22/09/09
      35.   #8 Heather 03:26  |  save the world 22/09/09
      36.   re 27 psst , had enough 04:36  |  alan the real one 22/09/09
      37.   oleg 34 05:47  |  potobac 22/09/09
      38.   "absolute sweden" 07:55  |  O 22/09/09
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