Sa’ar bars 2 Swedish MEPs who accused Israel of genocide, backed sanctions

The two lawmakers were scheduled to enter Israel Sunday night as part of a planned trip to the Palestinian Authority.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Israel will deny entry to two Swedish members of the European Parliament who were due to arrive Sunday night for a visit to the Palestinian Authority, following a request from Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar over what his ministry described as their sustained activity against Israel.

The Population and Immigration Authority will prevent Jonas Sjöstedt and Hanna Gedin, both members of Sweden’s Left Party, from entering the country under Israel’s Entry into Israel Law.

Israeli officials cited the lawmakers’ public statements and efforts in recent years, including support for international legal action against Israelis and allegations concerning Israel’s conduct in the Gaza war.

Both MEPs have accused Israel of genocide and deliberate starvation and made claims involving the intentional targeting of children and medical personnel.

Sjöstedt has been particularly outspoken in his criticism of Israeli policy. He has described Israel’s conduct in Gaza as “genocide” and its policy toward Palestinians as a “cruel occupation.”

The Swedish lawmaker has also pushed for the European Union to impose an arms embargo on Israel and sanctions against Israeli officials.

Despite those positions, Sjöstedt has explicitly recognized Israel’s right to exist and condemned Hamas’ October 7 attack.

Gedin has also sought greater European Union pressure on Israel over the war in Gaza and supported sanctions against the country.

The two lawmakers were scheduled to enter Israel Sunday night as part of a planned trip to the Palestinian Authority.

Their visit will now be blocked following Sa’ar’s intervention and the Population and Immigration Authority’s decision to deny them entry.

Both Sjöstedt and Gedin were also among a group of European lawmakers who signed a letter in May 2026 seeking permission to enter the Gaza Strip.

The decision comes after years in which the two Swedish politicians have repeatedly used their positions in the European Parliament to criticize Israel and advocate measures against its government and officials.

Israeli authorities cited that record in moving to prevent their entry before their planned visit to the Palestinian Authority.