Palestinian state is recognized by Sweden, Israel rejects the decision

The Swedish government announced this Thursday it will recognize by decree the Palestinian State, becoming with this in the third member of the European Union, joining Malta and Cyprus, that officially recognized Palestine.

The Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said that the Scandinavian country had decided to make the gesture because the requirements of international law were met. “There is a land, a people and a government,” she told reporters in Stockholm.

Wallstrom said she hoped that the “excellent cooperation (with Israel) continue,” and that the decision was received by the Israeli government “in a constructively way.”

In response to the decision, Israel called it “deplorable,” considering that the action will only strengthen the extremists.