Swedish FM visits Israel to mend ties after diplomatic rift

By ALON BERNSTEIN
Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — Sweden’s foreign minister is visiting Israel in an effort to mend ties after years in which the two countries have been at odds over the conflict with the Palestinians. Sweden’s Social Democratic-led government recognized Palestinian statehood in 2014, making it the first large European country to do so since the end of the Cold War. Its former foreign minister’s comments in favor of the Palestinians in recent years drew angry responses from Israeli officials. Ann Linde’s visit Monday was the first by a Swedish foreign minister in a decade. While acknowledging disagreements, she said Sweden is a “friend of Israel.” She visited Israel’s Holocaust memorial and met with Israeli officials.