Anti-Israel speech at Swedish Presidency

    "We call Sweden, an enlightened country and friend of Israel, to take a more objective and more prudent position, especially that it assures presidency of the European Union which has strong interests in the region," said Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel Danny Ayalon to public radio.

    Mr. Ayalon did not rule out the possibility of recall for consultations Israel's ambassador to Sweden. Such a reminder, however, he stressed, would "only intend to inform the Department (Foreign Affairs) in Jerusalem" of recent developments, without having to attach a political meaning.

    Mr. Ayalon has again strongly criticized the Swedish authorities not to have disassociated from an article by Aftonbladet, a Swedish tabloid, which accused the Israeli army of covering trafficking of organs taken from Palestinians cadavers.

    He made it clear that in the absence of such a position of the Government of Stockholm, the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt is not welcome in Israel.

    Mr. Bildt said Thursday that the UN report of Judge Richard Goldstone, which involves Israel but also the Palestinians during the Israeli offensive in Ghaza last winter, was "worthy of consideration."

    "I think Mr. Goldstone is a person worthy of high credibility and high integrity and therefore his report has weight," said the head of Swedish diplomacy at a press conference in Stockholm.

    The report was strongly criticized by the Israeli authorities who blame its "partiality".

    
Ennaharonline/ M. O.