2025-03-262024/25:UU15 · p.2UUForeign affairs
Measures against settlers on the West Bank
EU sanctions against settlers and settler violence in the West Bank
What's at stake: The decision concerns how forcefully Sweden and the EU act against settler violence, settlement expansion, and demolitions and evictions in the West Bank, which the committee says undermines a two-state solution and raises the level of conflict. It affects both the Palestinians who suffer violence and destruction of property in the West Bank and Sweden's role in international pressure on Israel.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether the government should push for more extensive or specifically designed EU sanctions against the violent settler movement in the West Bank, or whether Parliament should be satisfied with supporting the government's already ongoing work for further EU sanctions against extremist settlers.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee rejects the motions, noting that, according to the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion, the settlements are contrary to international law and undermine the two-state solution. The committee holds that settler violence, settlement expansion, and demolitions and evictions must end, and supports the government's efforts to push through further EU sanctions against extremist settlers, without endorsing the motions' more specific demands.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 5 (S, C)
The reservation (S, C) calls for Parliament to instruct the government to work for expanding the EU's sanctions against the militant settler movement. The reason given is that hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank and thousands have been harassed and had their property destroyed and demolished.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 5 by S, C.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | Abstain 0/0/20/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: high | derived |
| S | No | No 0/93/0/13 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| MP | No | Abstain 0/0/16/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| C | No | No 0/20/0/4 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 14/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| KD | No | Yes 17/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| M | No | Yes 60/0/0/8 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| SD | Yes | Yes 62/0/0/10 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2024/25:1437 by Rasmus Giertz et al. (SD) demands 7 and 8, 2024/25:3020 by Nooshi Dadgostar et al. (V) demand 7, 2024/25:3043 by Jacob Risberg et al. (MP) demands 7 and 10, and 2024/25:3107 by Morgan Johansson et al. (S) demand 11.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2024/25:1437 av Rasmus Giertz m.fl. (SD) yrkandena 7 och 8, 2024/25:3020 av Nooshi Dadgostar m.fl. (V) yrkande 7, 2024/25:3043 av Jacob Risberg m.fl. (MP) yrkandena 7 och 10 samt 2024/25:3107 av Morgan Johansson m.fl. (S) yrkande 11.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag rejected approximately 150 proposals on the situation in Israel and Palestine, among other things. They deal, among other things, with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, aid to Palestine and UNRWA, and measures against settlers on the West Bank. The proposals were submitted during the general motion period 2024.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants Sweden to push for an immediate ceasefire, hostage release, ICC investigation of war crimes, and for the EU to freeze the association agreement with Israel. (S, C) — Reservation 5
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan requires that Sweden consistently defend international law and human rights and is prepared to use economic pressure against regimes committing human rights violations.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that Sweden consistently defend international law and human rights and is prepared to use economic pressure against regimes committing human rights violations. Expanded EU sanctions against the militant settler movement, in light of killed and harassed Palestinians, is an application of this. Sanctions against settlers are not mentioned in the plan, which is why the position is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att Sverige konsekvent försvarar folkrätten och de mänskliga rättigheterna och är beredd att använda ekonomiska påtryckningar mot regimer som begår brott mot mänskliga rättigheter. Utvidgade EU-sanktioner mot den militanta bosättarrörelsen, mot bakgrund av dödade och trakasserade palestinier, är en tillämpning av det. Sanktioner mot bosättare nämns inte i planen, varför ställningstagandet härleds.
- voice for human rightsdecisive»en stadig röst i världen som talar för mänskliga rättigheter« (party programme ↗)“a steady voice in the world that speaks for human rights”
- violations of international law are opposed»Genom FN får även små länder en röst och starka militärmakters brott mot internationell lag kan uppmärksammas och motverkas.« (party programme ↗)“Through the UN even small countries have a voice and powerful military nations' violations of international law can be highlighted and opposed.”
- pressure against human rights violations»förbjuda vapenexport till diktaturer, stater som för angreppskrig och« (party programme ↗)“prohibit weapons exports to dictatorships, states waging wars of aggression and”
- voice for peace and justice»Vänsterpartiet anser att Sverige ska vara en röst för fred och rättvisa, inte för ökad militarisering.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Left Party considers that Sweden shall be a voice for peace and justice, not for increased militarisation.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan commits the party to stand up for international law and to continue work to increase respect for human rights and a rules-based world order, and the party programme rejects all organized violence against the civilian population.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan commits the party to stand up for international law and to continue work to increase respect for human rights and a rules-based world order, and the party programme rejects all organized violence against the civilian population. Expanded EU sanctions against the militant settler movement are a tool for precisely this, when Palestinians are killed and harassed on the West Bank. The plan thus also speaks to international law as the committee leans on, but not on the design of sanctions lists.
Original (Swedish)
Planen förbinder partiet att stå upp för folkrätten och att fortsätta arbetet för ökad respekt för de mänskliga rättigheterna och en regelbaserad världsordning, och partiprogrammet avvisar allt organiserat våld mot civilbefolkningen. Utvidgade EU-sanktioner mot den militanta bosättarrörelsen är ett verktyg för just detta, när palestinier dödas och trakasseras på Västbanken. Planen talar därmed också om folkrätten som utskottet lutar sig mot, men inte om sanktionslistornas utformning.
- stand up for international lawdecisive»Vi har en lång historia av att stå upp för folkrätten, solidaritet, nedrustning, demokrati och jämställdhet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We have a long history of standing up for international law, solidarity, disarmament, democracy and equality.”
- violence against civilians rejected»mot civilbefolkningen, måste därför alltid avvisas.« (party programme ↗)“against the civilian population, must therefore always be rejected.”
- rules-based world order»Vi kommer att fortsätta arbetet för att öka respekten för de mänskliga rättigheterna, demokratin och en regelbaserad världsordning och global säkerhet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We will continue work to increase respect for human rights, democracy and a rules-based world order and global security.”
- human rights must not be violated»Socialdemokratin vägrar acceptera att någon makt på grund av politiska eller ekonomiska« (party programme ↗)“Social democracy refuses to accept that any power on grounds of political or economic”
The party programme puts international law and human rights at the centre and wants the EU to have better tools against violations of human rights, with a developed sanctions system.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme puts international law and human rights at the centre and wants the EU to have better tools against violations of human rights, with a developed sanctions system. Human rights should be put first in the EU's foreign policy. That Sweden works for expanded EU sanctions against a militant settler movement that kills and harasses Palestinians follows from these principles.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet sätter folkrätten och de mänskliga rättigheterna i centrum och vill att EU får bättre verktyg mot brott mot mänskliga rättigheter, med ett utvecklat sanktionssystem. Mänskliga rättigheter ska sättas i första rummet för EU:s utrikespolitik. Att Sverige verkar för utvidgade EU-sanktioner mot en militant bosättarrörelse som dödar och trakasserar palestinier följer av dessa principer.
- international law at the centredecisive»Miljöpartiet de gröna sätter folkrätten och de mänskliga rättigheterna i centrum.« (party programme ↗)“The Green Party puts international law and human rights at the centre.”
- developed sanctions system»EU måste få bättre verktyg att ta itu med brott mot de mänskliga rättigheterna inom unionen, och sanktionssystemet behöver utvecklas.« (party programme ↗)“The EU must have better tools to address violations of human rights within the union, and the sanctions system needs to be developed.”
- human rights first in EU policy»Mänskliga rättigheter, fredlig konflikthantering och en konfliktförebyggande politik« (party programme ↗)“Human rights, peaceful conflict management and conflict prevention policy”
- human security first»Vi vill se en politik som sätter mänsklig säkerhet före territoriell.« (party programme ↗)“We want to see a policy that puts human security before territorial.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The party programme states that foreign and security policy ultimately aims to protect universal human freedoms and rights and that protection of human rights is the responsibility of the entire world.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme states that foreign and security policy ultimately aims to protect universal human freedoms and rights and that protection of human rights is the responsibility of the entire world. The election manifesto condemns violations of international law and is prepared to use trade policy to set stricter requirements. Extended EU sanctions against a militant settler movement that kills and harasses civilians follow from these principles, but the question is not addressed in the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår fast att utrikes- och säkerhetspolitiken ytterst syftar till att värna universella mänskliga fri- och rättigheter och att skyddet av mänskliga rättigheter är hela världens ansvar. Valmanifestet fördömer folkrättsvidriga handlingar och är berett att använda handelspolitiken för att ställa hårdare krav. Utvidgade EU-sanktioner mot en militant bosättarrörelse som dödar och trakasserar civila följer av dessa principer, men frågan behandlas inte i planen.
- foreign policy protects rightsdecisive»Utrikes- och säkerhetspolitiken syftar ytterst till att värna universella mänskliga fri- och rättigheter.« (party programme ↗)“Foreign and security policy ultimately aims to protect universal human freedoms and rights.”
- global responsibility for rights»Fred, skyddet av mänskliga rättigheter och hållbar utveckling är hela världens ansvar.« (party programme ↗)“Peace, protection of human rights and sustainable development are the responsibility of the entire world.”
- international law must be respected»Vissa hot kommer utifrån, som Rysslands folkrättsvidriga krig mot Ukraina har visat.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Certain threats come from outside, as Russia's violation of international law through its war against Ukraine has shown.”
- conditions in trade policy»Ställ hårdare krav på arbetsvillkor, miljö och klimat i handelsavtal.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Set stricter requirements for working conditions, environment and climate in trade agreements.”
The plan does not mention the West Bank, but establishes a values-driven foreign policy where Sweden shall do much more for freedom and rights and where sanctions regimes are used as an instrument against violations of international law.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not mention the West Bank, but establishes a values-driven foreign policy where Sweden shall do much more for freedom and rights and where sanctions regimes are used as an instrument against violations of international law. Based on these nearest principles, the demand for expanded EU sanctions against the militant settler movement is supported. The basis is, however, general since the plan lacks a position in precisely this conflict.
Original (Swedish)
Planen nämner inte Västbanken, men slår fast en värderingsstyrd utrikespolitik där Sverige ska göra mycket mer för fri- och rättigheter och där sanktionsregimer används som instrument mot folkrättsbrott. Utifrån dessa närmast liggande principer stöds kravet på utvidgade EU-sanktioner mot den militanta bosättarrörelsen. Underlaget är dock allmänt eftersom planen saknar ställningstagande i just denna konflikt.
- values-driven foreign policydecisive»Vi kallar det för vad det är: en ny värderingsstyrd utrikespolitik.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We call it what it is: a new values-driven foreign policy.”
- sanctions as instrument»Sverige ska vara pådrivande för att så breda globala koalitioner som möjligt bygger ut en så heltäckande sanktionsregim mot Ryssland som möjligt.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden shall be driving for as broad global coalitions as possible to build out as comprehensive a sanctions regime against Russia as possible.”
- accountability for violations of international law»Internationella brottmålsdomstolens roll för att lagföra brott mot mänskliga rättigheter ska stärkas.« (party programme ↗)“The role of the International Criminal Court in prosecuting crimes against human rights shall be strengthened.”
- freedom as foreign policy goal»Målet med vår utrikespolitik är en friare värld för alla.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The goal of our foreign policy is a freer world for all.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan makes human dignity and the protection of human freedoms and rights the main goal of foreign policy, requires that compliance with international obligations is guaranteed and that we stand up for vulnerable fellow human beings because aggression should never be rewarded.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan makes human dignity and the protection of human freedoms and rights the main goal of foreign policy, requires that compliance with international obligations is guaranteed and that we stand up for vulnerable fellow human beings because aggression should never be rewarded. Boycotts and sanctions can be used as a last resort, which supports expanded EU sanctions against a violent settler movement.
Original (Swedish)
Planen gör människovärdet och skyddet av mänskliga fri- och rättigheter till huvudmål för utrikespolitiken, kräver att efterlevnaden av internationella förpliktelser garanteras och att man ställer upp för utsatta medmänniskor eftersom aggression aldrig får löna sig. Bojkott och sanktioner får användas som en sista utväg, vilket bär utvidgade EU-sanktioner mot en våldsutövande bosättarrörelse.
- human dignity in foreign policydecisive»Människovärdet ska stå i fokus« (party programme ↗)“Human dignity should be in focus”
- sanctions as a last resort»utväg kan bojkott och sanktioner bli aktuella.« (party programme ↗)“resort, boycotts and sanctions may become relevant.”
- duty to protect the vulnerable»ställa upp för utsatta medmänniskor« (party programme ↗)“stand up for vulnerable fellow human beings”
- international law shall be respected»efterlevandet av internationella förpliktelser garanteras« (party programme ↗)“compliance with international obligations is guaranteed”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan does not take a position on settlements on the West Bank or on sanctions against the settler movement.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not take a position on settlements on the West Bank or on sanctions against the settler movement. The nearest principle is that Sweden should be a strong voice for freedom, democracy and human rights and that through the UN system we are part of international law that safeguards sovereignty. Expanded EU sanctions against violent settlers are compatible with that principle.
Original (Swedish)
Planen tar inte ställning till bosättningarna på Västbanken eller till sanktioner mot bosättarrörelsen. Den närmast liggande principen är att Sverige ska vara en stark röst för frihet, demokrati och mänskliga rättigheter och att vi genom FN-systemet är del av den folkrätt som värnar suveränitet. Utvidgade EU-sanktioner mot våldsutövande bosättare är förenligt med den principen.
- strong voice for human rightsdecisive»Sverige ska vara en stark röst för frihet, demokrati och« (party programme ↗)“Sweden should be a strong voice for freedom, democracy and”
- international law as foundation»Genom FN-systemet är vi del av den folkrätt som värnar vår« (party programme ↗)“Through the UN system we are part of international law that safeguards our”
- democracy and human rights prioritized»Prioritera insatser som stödjer arbetet för demokrati och mänskliga rättigheter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Prioritize efforts that support work for democracy and human rights”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The electoral policy commitment is that relations with Israel, as the only democracy in the region, should be restored and maintained, and that foreign policy should primarily protect Swedish interests.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The electoral policy commitment is that relations with Israel, as the only democracy in the region, should be restored and maintained, and that foreign policy should primarily protect Swedish interests. The sanctions list in the plan is directed against Turkey, Belarus, Russia and other countries with negative development, not Israel. Working for expanded EU sanctions against the Israeli settler movement therefore lies outside the plan's line.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestets utrikespolitiska åtagande är att relationen till Israel, som den enda demokratin i regionen, ska återupprättas och vårdas, och att utrikespolitiken främst ska värna svenska intressen. Sanktionslistan i planen riktas mot Turkiet, Belarus, Ryssland och andra länder med negativ utveckling, inte mot Israel. Att driva utvidgade EU-sanktioner mot den israeliska bosättarrörelsen ligger därför utanför planens linje.
- maintained Israeli relationsdecisive»Relationen till Israel, som den enda demokratin i sin region, bör återupprättas och vårdas.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Relations with Israel, as the only democracy in its region, should be restored and maintained.”
- sanctions against authoritarian states»Sverige bör verka för tydliga sanktioner mot Turkiet, Belarus, Ryssland och andra länder med en negativ utveckling.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden should work for clear sanctions against Turkey, Belarus, Russia and other countries with negative development.”
- Swedish interests first»Sverigedemokraterna vill att inriktningen av utrikespolitiken i högre utsträckning än idag ska värna svenskarnas intressen på det globala planet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden Democrats want the direction of foreign policy to a greater extent than today protect Swedes' interests on the global level.”
- independent foreign policy»värna svenska intressen samt demokratiska fri- och rättigheter i världen« (party programme ↗)“protect Swedish interests as well as democratic freedoms and rights in the world”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2024/25:UU15)
- Committee report full text (HC01UU15)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2024/25:1041 — Erkännande av Jerusalem som Israels huvudstad av Magnus Oscarsson och Dan Hovskär (båda KD)
- Motion 2024/25:1159 — Marshallplan för fred och utveckling i Gaza av Magnus Jacobsson och Magnus Berntsson (båda KD)
- Motion 2024/25:1211 — Inrättande av en internationell tribunal för att ställa IS till svars av Yusuf Aydin och Magnus Berntsson (båda KD)
- Motion 2024/25:1214 — Självstyre för kristna minoriteter på Nineveslätten i Irak av Yusuf Aydin (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:1215 — Omprövning av sanktioner mot Syrien i humanitärt syfte av Yusuf Aydin (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:1247 — Sverige måste anta en ny Iranpolitik av Azadeh Rojhan och Louise Thunström (båda S)
- Motion 2024/25:134 — Avveckling av Sveriges generalkonsulat i Jerusalem av Magnus Jacobsson (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:135 — Avveckling av UNRWA av Magnus Jacobsson (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:137 — Flytt av Sveriges ambassad till Jerusalem av Magnus Jacobsson (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:1430 — Vissa frågor i Mellanöstern och Afrika av Markus Wiechel m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1435 — Stöd till utsatta grupper av Rasmus Giertz m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1437 — Israel och Palestina av Rasmus Giertz m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1438 — Internationella relationer och mänskliga rättigheter av Markus Wiechel m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1716 — Israel och Palestina av Jamal El-Haj (-)
- Motion 2024/25:1721 — Hävande av ockupationen av Palestina av Jamal El-Haj (-)
- Motion 2024/25:1735 — Fryst UNRWA-stöd till förmån för UNHCR av Hans Eklind (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:1736 — Erkännande av Jerusalem som Israels huvudstad av Hans Eklind (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:1737 — Flytt av Sveriges ambassad i Israel av Mikael Oscarsson och Magnus Oscarsson (båda KD)
- Motion 2024/25:2009 — Vapenvila i Gaza, sanktioner mot bosättarrörelsen och frysning av handelsavtalet mellan Israel och EU av Joakim Sandell m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:225 — Indraget bistånd till UNRWA av Josef Fransson (SD)
Source: The Swedish Parliament