Sweden faced criticism from Jewish groups after announcing that his government will recognize a Palestinian state.
The country's incoming prime minister Stefan Lofven made the announcement today as he listed his government's priorities and revealed his new centre-left cabinet.
Social Democratic leader Mr Lofven said that Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be resolved through a two-state solution requiring 'mutual recognition' and a will from both sides to co-exist peacefully.
Mr Lofven said: 'Therefore Sweden will recognize the state of Palestine.' He didn't say when or how that would happen.
Sweden will join more than 130 other countries that recognise a Palestinian state.
Most of the EU's 28 member states have refrained from recognising Palestinian statehood and those that do - such as Hungary, Poland and Slovakia - did so before joining the bloc.
The move was met with criticism from a number of Jewish groups, who said that it was 'very sad' that it will recognise the state - despite the disputed nature of its borders.
Phil Carmel from the European Jewish Congress which represents Jews in 40 countries including Sweden told Swedish news website The Local: 'This is a token move by Sweden's new government and it is ironic that Sweden recognizes a Palestinian state at a time when even Palestinians can't agree on what its borders will be.'
He added: 'A key principle of the European Union is to recognize future states based on negotiations and it is very sad that Sweden appears to have cast these negotiations aside and wants to label Palestine as a state before any formal agreement on its borders.'
But Sweden's decision drew praise from Palestinian officials who said that they 'salute' Sweden's position.
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