Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said the ongoing wave of Palestinian stabbing attacks in Israel does not constitute terrorism, then attempted to walk back on his comments.
“No, it is not classified as such. There is an international classification regarding what constitutes or does not constitute [terrorism]. As far as I know, the [stabbing attacks in Israel] are not defined as terror,” Lofven told the Swedish TT news agency.
Lofven quickly tried to clarify his comments a few hours later.
“I meant that it was unclear if the knife attacks are organized by a group classified as a terrorist organization,” he said. “Nonetheless, the attacks themselves do constitute terror.”
Relations between Israel and Sweden have been strained over the last year, starting with Sweden’s recognition of the Palestinian Authority as the “State of Palestine.” Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström this week sparked controversy by accusing Israel of “extrajudicial executions” of Palestinians without trials. Wallström also recently blamed the Paris terror attacks on “Palestinian frustration” with Israel.
