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Sweden is separated from Israel and the Palestinian territories not only by 3,000 kilometers but by nearly polar political differences. While the Middle East conjures up images of ancient civilizations and intractable conflicts, Sweden-a comparatively small Scandinavian country on Europe's northern periphery-has enjoyed two centuries of peace since the Napoleonic Wars. Yet, against all odds, Sweden has developed exceptionally strong-and at times tumultuous-relations with Israel and the Palestinians. Surprisingly, this Nordic nation has even emerged as an unexpected facilitator of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.
This groundbreaking book by political scientist Daniel Schatz provides the first comprehensive historic overview and in-depth analysis of Sweden's political and diplomatic relations with Israel and the Palestinians from 1948 to 2024. Based on fifteen years of archival research and over 100 exclusive interviews with key leaders-including Swedish, Israeli, and Palestinian prime ministers, foreign ministers and ambassadors -it offers unprecedented insights into this fascinating diplomatic journey.
From Swedish government offices to secret diplomatic missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah, readers are granted rare access to the corridors of power. Witness firsthand how Swedish decision-makers have navigated the complexities of Middle Eastern politics since the post-war era and played a facilitating role in the peace process. Discover the untold story of how a distant Nordic nation became a player in one of the world's most enduring conflicts.
List of contents
Chapter 1: Mirror Images: Competing Israeli and Palestinian Narratives of the Arab-Israeli Conflict.- Chapter 2: Early Swedish Engagement with Palestine Up to 1950.- Chapter 3: The Erlander Era 1950-1969- Israel as a Light Unto the Nations.- Chapter 4: The Palme Era 1969-1996 - Foreign Policy Change and a Special Relationship with the Palestinians.- Chapter 5: The Persson Era 1996-2006 - Foreign Policy Change: Sweden Re-Establishes Relations with Israel.- Chapter 6: The Bildt Era 2006-2014- Sweden Revises to Palme Era Policies.- Chapter 7: The Löfven Era 2014-2022 - Sweden Recognizes Palestine and Normalizes Relations with Israel.- Chapter 8: Conclusions.
About the author
Daniel Schatz holds a doctorate in political science and is a writer on international affairs. He has held appointments as a Visiting Scholar at Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Georgetown, and New York Universities.
Schatz's award-winning commentary on global politics has been featured and cited in a number of media outlets, including The New York Times, The Economist, Newsweek, CNN, Foreign Policy, and The Wall Street Journal. With fluency in six languages and a diverse background spanning politics, communications, and diplomacy, Schatz has been called on to advise governments and international organizations. His unique blend of academic expertise and practical experience in global affairs serves as the foundation for this comprehensive study of Sweden's role in Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy.
Summary
Sweden is separated from Israel and the Palestinian territories not only by 3,000 kilometers but by nearly polar political differences. While the Middle East conjures up images of ancient civilizations and intractable conflicts, Sweden—a comparatively small Scandinavian country on Europe's northern periphery—has enjoyed two centuries of peace since the Napoleonic Wars. Yet, against all odds, Sweden has developed exceptionally strong—and at times tumultuous—relations with Israel and the Palestinians. Surprisingly, this Nordic nation has even emerged as an unexpected facilitator of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.
This groundbreaking book by political scientist Daniel Schatz provides the first comprehensive historic overview and in-depth analysis of Sweden's political and diplomatic relations with Israel and the Palestinians from 1948 to 2024. Based on fifteen years of archival research and over 100 exclusive interviews with key leaders—including Swedish, Israeli, and Palestinian prime ministers, foreign ministers and ambassadors —it offers unprecedented insights into this fascinating diplomatic journey.
From Swedish government offices to secret diplomatic missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah, readers are granted rare access to the corridors of power. Witness firsthand how Swedish decision-makers have navigated the complexities of Middle Eastern politics since the post-war era and played a facilitating role in the peace process. Discover the untold story of how a distant Nordic nation became a player in one of the world's most enduring conflicts.
