Four international law experts write in DN Debatt that the Swedish government is downplaying international law by dismissing the legality of US and Israeli attacks on Iran as a 'seminariefråga'. They refer to statements by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch. The experts warn of a departure from Sweden's traditional foreign policy line.
Four leading international law experts – Ove Bring, Mark Klamberg, Said Mahmoudi, and Pål Wrang – publish a debate article in Dagens Nyheter criticizing the Swedish government's stance on US and Israeli attacks on Iran. The experts claim the attacks violate international law's core rule prohibiting violent attacks on states.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) has said the attacks do not fit 'traditionell folkrätt' and in SVT Agenda on March 8 that the operation will be permissible if successful. In DN on April 12, he described international law as something not to 'ha ett seminarium om'. Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch (KD) said in P1's Lördagsintervju on March 21 that one should not 'fastna i långa utläggningar kring huruvida detta gått till på rätt sätt'.
The experts describe this as a misunderstanding or departure from international law as a cornerstone of Swedish foreign policy. They emphasize its importance for Sweden's security via NATO, EU, trade, and other agreements.
The government's criticism of Israel and the US has been late and cautious, according to the experts, while criticism of Iran is reasonably balanced. Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) has said the attack is difficult to reconcile with international law. The experts call for clarifications on whether international law applies equally to all, if it remains a cornerstone, and what the government will do to restore respect for it.
