Sweden's planned recognition of Palestine angers Israel

JERUSALEM, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Israel protested Sweden's planned recognition of Palestine on Monday by summoning the Swedish ambassador to the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Jerusalem.

The announcement of the plan by Sweden's new center-left government came in an address Friday by new Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, who said the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians could only come through talks "in accordance with international law."

Carl Magnus Nesser, the Swedish ambassador to Israel, said in a radio interview the recognition "will happen within the not-too-distant future."

Sweden would be the first European Union country to recognize Palestine, although some did so during the Cold War before they became members. The move could motivate other countries to recognize what is now known as the Palestinian Authority, which, Israeli officials say, would pre-empt future discussion over a Palestinian state within agreed-upon borders.

The Swedish announcement comes after another breakdown in peace talks, as well as the censure of Israel over its settlement policies in the West Bank and its actions during the summer war in Gaza.