Swedish FM visits Israel to mend ties after diplomatic rift

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

JERUSALEM -- Sweden's foreign minister visited Israel on Monday 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 support of the Palestinians drew angry responses from Israeli officials.

“We might not always agree, but good friends disagree,” Foreign Minister Ann Linde said at a press conference with her Israeli counterpart. "And I think it’s really, really important that you know that Sweden is a friend of Israel."

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid thanked her for reiterating Sweden's support for Israel and for Sweden's efforts to combat antisemitism. The two spoke by phone last month in the first call between their countries' foreign ministers in seven years.