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Gaza protest disrupts Swedish parliament debate

Protesters denouncing Israel's offensive in Gaza disrupted a foreign policy debate in Sweden's parliament on Wednesday, as the country's foreign minister reiterated support for Israel's right to self-defence against Hamas.

Gaza protest disrupts Swedish parliament debate
A protester outside the Swedish parliament on February 14th. Photo: Christine Olsson/TT

Security guards escorted a woman out of the public gallery after she shouted that Israel “was committing genocide”, as Foreign Minister Tobias Billström presented the government’s foreign policy declaration to parliament.

“Sweden supports Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself against Hamas in accordance with international law,” Billström said before being interrupted.

He added that “in light of the catastrophic situation in Gaza, the government believes that a ceasefire is necessary for humanitarian reasons.”

Protesters started to chant as members of parliament began debating the country’s support for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.

Police told AFP that six people were detained by security guards, and one of those had then been arrested suspected of “violent resistance.” A small group of protesters also gathered outside the parliament.

In late January, Sweden put payments to UNRWA on hold following allegations that staff members at the agency had a role in the October 7 attack by Hamas. The United Nations has announced the creation of an independent panel to assess UNRWA following the claims.

The Hamas attack that sparked the war resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

At least 28,576 people have been killed in Israel’s subsequent assault on Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

During his policy declaration, Billström also said that Sweden’s number one priority would be “support for Ukraine” in its fight against Russia.

“Sweden will continue to support Ukraine as long as needed – politically, humanitarian, militarily and economically,” Billström said.

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PROTESTS

Pro-Palestine students stage new protest at Lund University graduation

Both student protestors and graduating doctoral students showed their support for Palestine at Lund University's doctoral graduation ceremony on Friday, where police had evacuated an anti-Israel tent camp a day prior.

Pro-Palestine students stage new protest at Lund University graduation

The doctoral graduation ceremony was held in the Lundagård park, where until Thursday, students had been camping to show their support of Palestine.

They were forcibly removed by police early on Thursday morning in order to make room for the graduation ceremony. According to police, around 40 people were taken into custody for identification.

On Friday, students shouted “stop the bombing, now, now, now,” as the university fired cannons to celebrate its graduating doctoral students, Sydsvenskan journalists, who estimated the number of protesters as “around 80”, reported.

One of the participating doctoral graduates walked in the procession holding a large Palestinian flag, with more of the country’s flags painted on his cheeks, which was met with cheers by protestors.

There was a large police presence during the procession, where the police had cordoned off a large rectangle for protesters to stand in. Both the procession and the protest were over by 4pm, with no reported issues.

Students told local newspaper Sydsvenskan on Thursday that they wanted the university to stop collaborating with Israeli institutions.

“We understand that it’s important for the university to hold onto its traditions, but today they should be prioritising the Palestinian people,” a group of anonymous students told the newspaper.

“There’s an ongoing genocide happening in Gaza and ongoing occupation on the West Bank. We want the university to stop collaborating with Israeli institutions. We think our demands are reasonable.”

Friday’s protest received a mixed reception from Lund locals, Sydsvenskan reported. One asked “what have the graduating doctoral students done to you?”, while another shouted “long live Israel.”

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