As Sweden heads to polls, Israel and Palestine policies are on the ballot

What the report says

Sweden’s general election on Sunday is shaping up as a referendum not only on domestic politics, but also on the country’s approach to Israel and Palestine. Al Jazeera reports that the vote could affect whether Sweden keeps, revises or reverses positions that have featured prominently in recent coalition debates, including recognition of Palestine, aid to UNRWA and the government’s line on Gaza and Israel.

According to the article, Sweden became the first European Union member state to recognise Palestine in 2014, a move that strained relations with Israel. The far-right Sweden Democrats, who support the current right-wing bloc, want that recognition withdrawn. A Novus poll cited by Al Jazeera put the left-wing bloc slightly ahead of the governing right-wing alliance, though the contest remains close.

The current government has not described Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide and has not joined South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice. It paused, restored and later ended core funding for UNRWA, while also announcing new humanitarian support for Gaza and the region. Some parties in the governing bloc have pushed stronger pro-Israel measures, including moving Sweden’s embassy to Jerusalem, while other members have backed sanctions on Israeli settlers and officials.

On the left, the Social Democrats, Greens and Left Party are more aligned on restoring UNRWA support and, in some cases, backing the genocide case and other pressure measures. The article frames the election as potentially significant because foreign policy in Sweden is set by the government, meaning coalition outcomes could directly shape the country’s stance.