In his inaugural speech a couple of days ago, the incoming PM of Sweden said that his government would recognize Palestine. This had some importance because it would be the first time a member of the EU did so. (A couple nations had recognized Palestine before joining, however). It probably wasn't as big a deal as some were making it out to be, but there's no doubt that Israel wasn't happy about it and expressed that.
Well, they don't need to worry any more. Sweden has totally caved.
"The conflict between Israel and Palestine can only be resolved through a two-state solution," the Tel Aviv-based Embassy of Sweden said in a statement on Sunday, clarifying that any recognition will go hand in hand with with negotiations, "in accordance with the principles of international law."
Returning to the negotiating table must take into account the concerns and demands of both the Palestinians and the Israelis for "national self-determination and security," the statement said, adding that a two-state solution calls for mutual recognition and "a will" to live side by side in peace.
Only then, Sweden says, will it recognize Palestinian statehood.
I'm really not sure what happened, here. I doubt that pressure and displeasure from Israel would have changed their minds if it was something they really wanted to do. I don't imagine any pressure came from the US at this point (nor do I think that would have done much, either.) It's possible they might have listened to the Germans if they had something to say about it, but I'm betting that's not it, either.
If I had to guess, I'd be that the new PM is an Arabist who simply got too far out in front of his government and other members pulled him back. Probably not in the Greens, but in his own party. Honestly, he would have done better to clear it with everybody before opening his mouth because I'm sure this backtracking isn't how his party wanted to kick off things. Perhaps he thought if he said it, he could make it happen? Who knows, maybe some people in his party were worried that they might lose more supporters to the Sweden Democrats?
UPDATE: Sorry it took me a while to update this - Zornorph Jr. kept me busy all afternoon and evening. It turns out there was a whole lot of confusion in Israel over translating embassy statements and determining what they meant. Short version, it's pretty clear that Sweden is going to recognize Palestine in one form or the other. This really shouldn't be surprising - Sweden has had one of the most Arabist governments in the EU. Honestly, it's surprising that it hasn't happened before. At the end of the day, it really doesn't mean much by itself. The only way there ever will be a real state of Palestine is if they come to an agreement with Israel.