Brussels – SABA:
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard described the situation in Gaza — which is facing what she called a “genocidal war” perpetrated by Israel — as “extremely serious,” stressing the need for action and stating, “We cannot remain spectators.”
Speaking to the press on Monday ahead of the EU Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brussels — where they are set to review the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement — Stenergard noted that Sweden is the second-largest humanitarian donor to the Palestinians in Gaza.
She emphasized: “Let’s not forget — the situation in Gaza is extremely serious,” expressing deep frustration over her country’s inability to deliver aid to Palestinians due to the Israeli blockade, according to Sanad News Agency.
She warned: “People are suffering. We cannot remain mere spectators.”
The EU-Israel Association Agreement, which came into force in 2000, serves as the legal framework for political dialogue and economic cooperation between the two sides. Article 2 of the agreement explicitly states that the partnership is conditional on “respect for human rights and international law.”
Backed by the U.S. and several European countries, the Israeli military has, since October 7, 2023, been committing acts described as genocide in Gaza. The ongoing assault has resulted in the deaths of 55,998 Palestinians, most of whom are children and women, and the injury of 131,559 others — figures that remain incomplete as many victims remain trapped under rubble and in inaccessible areas.