Jerusalem/Stockholm: Relations between Sweden and Israel hit a fresh low on Sunday after Israel said Sweden`s foreign minister had accused it of unlawful killings and Stockholm responded by saying that the comments had been "blown out of reasonable proportion".

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

Relations between the two countries have nose-dived since Sweden`s Social Democrat-led government recognised a Palestinian state last year. Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom deepened the rift by describing Palestinians` plight as a factor leading to Islamist radicalisation.

In the latest row, Israel condemned as "scandalous" on Sunday what it said was a suggestion by Wallstrom its forces had unlawfully killed Palestinians involved in a surge of street violence, and warned of a diplomatic rupture with Stockholm.

Sweden said Wallstrom`s comments had been misunderstood.

"The Minister for Foreign Affairs did not, as alleged, say that extrajudicial executions occur in Israel," Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven and Wallstrom said in a statement.