Netanyahu accuses Sweden of trying to reach out to Hamas

By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent and Agencies

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has complained over Sweden's attempting to establish contact with Hamas, Haaretz has learned. His allegation could worsen Israel's already tense relationship with the Scandinavian country following the publication there of an inflammatory news article accusing Israeli soldiers of harvesting the organs of Palestinians.

Netanyahu complained about Sweden's alleged attempts to start a dialogue with Hamas 10 days ago in a meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos. Spain will replace Sweden as president of the European Union in January.

Netanyahu reportedly told Moratinos the Swedes are "reaching out to Hamas." Netanyahu did not specify through which sources he had learned of this. Moratinos, according to a source in the Prime Minister's Bureau, said he was not aware of such intentions, but said he would inquire about the subject with Swedish diplomats.
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Though Hamas is defined as a terrorist organization by the EU, parliamentarians from European countries meet occasionally with Hamas representatives. According to Hamas' representative in Lebanon, Usamah Hamdan, MPs from Sweden, the Netherlands and three other West European nations consulted with Hamas representatives over the past months.

Meanwhile, the Swedish chancellor of justice has decided not to launch an investigation into a newspaper that alleged Israeli soldiers kill Palestinian civilians to harvest their organs, Army Radio reported Saturday.

Swedish judicial authorities ruled that the report in the tabloid Aftonbladet did not constitute racism and was therefore legal. The ruling came in response to two requests submitted to Swedish justice officials.

According to Swedish law, a publication may be considered illegal if it is threatening or expresses contempt toward a person or group of people based on their race, ethnicity, or nationality.

The newspaper story sparked an outcry in Israel, with its author accused of disseminating "a blood libel" against the Jews. Much of the controversy was due to the article's attempts to tie Jewish criminals who trafficked in organs in New Jersey to the alleged harvesting of Palestinian organs by Israel Defense Forces soldiers.