Last week's discussions on global issues on Swedish debate and editorial pages have been dominated by the crisis in Gaza. Critics argue that the Swedish government should do more to stop starvation and bloodshed, while responsible ministers point to dialogues and aid volumes. Other texts draw attention to the effects of Europe's energy and technology dependence on authoritarian states, and Trump's foreign and trade policies continue to be the subject of criticism.
Humanitarian crisis, violations of international law and accusations of genocide. The tone of the debate on Gaza has become more tense when debaters accuses Swedens government for passivity.
The Federal Board of the Social Policy Workers' Organization Verdandis has recently returned from a visit to the West Bank and reports on forced displacement, starvation and violations of international law i Today's ETC. They urge the Swedish government to use its international influence to pressure Israel to break the blockade and save lives in Gaza..
I Samma Journal accuses editorial writer Annie Croona the government to wait with condemnations until it is politically convenient.
- To watch silently is to accept. To do it for this long is something worse, she writes.
I Aftonbladet questions representatives of Save the Children why Sweden so clearly marks against Russia's crimes in Ukraine, but is not as clear against the Israeli government when it comes to violence against children in Gaza.
– All children, regardless of nationality, have the same right to protection under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, type Åsa Regnér and Cecilia Chatterjee-Martinsen, chairman and international director respectively.
In a debate article in same newspaper April 30, accusede 300 healthcare employees EU and Swedish government for complicity in genocide in Gaza. This week Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard and Minister for Development Cooperation Benjamin Dousa defend the government's actions in a retort.
The ministers refers to that since the beginning of the war the government has earmarked over SEK 930 million in aid to Gaza, and emphasizes that they have raised Israel's obligation to allow humanitarian access in talks with Israeli representatives.
– Sweden's support for the civilian population in Gaza is clear. Equally clear is our condemnation of Hamas, they write, pointing out that they also condemn attacks on aid workers and demand that Israel allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Europe's vulnerability is growing due to energy and technology dependence
An additional theme on the debate and editorial pages has been the importance of increased European self-sufficiency.
Europe's dependence on American and Chinese technology threatens both sovereignty and security, write the debaters from over 200 technology companies in the European initiative EuroStack i Svenska DagbladetThey call on the EU to prioritise European digital products and services to create demand, boost innovation and reduce vulnerability. At the same time, they warn that a “Europe last” policy has turned the continent into a digital colony and call for politicalt leadership in Increased public procurement of European technology may also be in the self-interest of the companies behind the initiative.
I Dagens Nyheter welcomes Elias Rosell that the EU-the commission presentst a roadmap for the phasing out of Russian gas to 2027, as “happens want to "a day too early." Next in line should be other energy sources.ag, such as uranium he says. But in the reworking of energysystem, diversification is important.
– There are lessons to be learned from Europe's dependence on Russian energy, so that we do not end up in a similar situation with China in the future, argues Rosell.
How Trump is changing international law, trade and aid
Three editorials describe how Donald Trump's foreign policy is changing the world order. It is described as unpredictable, business-driven and in many cases directly harmful to international law and public health.
I Today's ETC argues Clara Knäpper Bohman that Trump hasdiplomatic principles w/ economic interests, even at the expense of allies. Trump's unilateral negotiations with Iran and rapprochement with authoritarian regimes like Saudi Arabia described by heras a strategy where loyalty weighs less than business.
At the same time, she warns that Sweden's voice in matters of human rights have been weakened. This, she argues, is particularly serious in a world led by an “unpredictable tyrant who must be met with resistance.”
Today's News editorial board points a boot at Trump's trade policy. Hans “90-day doctrine”, do they mean is a method where rapid tariff decisions and temporary retreats create constant uncertainty. According to the editorial team, negotiating over 70 trade agreements in three months is not only unrealistic:
- Even the agreements that are signed will not be trustworthy, they argue, because Trump's entire negotiating tactic is to act untrustworthy.
I Aftonbladet Jonna Sima reflects onTrump plande cuts to PEPFAR, an aid program that has been crucial in the fight against HIV in low-income countries, came extremely inopportunely. A new vacCCIN looked like be able to reduce the spread thanyou more, men instead risk uppestimated up to nine million people infected by 2029. That even countries like Sweden and Britain is declining its assistance I think she will. creating “a more dangerous world”
“Aid is not a do-gooder. It is a vaccine for the future,” argues Sima.
International law and passivity in focus of the Gaza debate
This is not war – it is genocide
Verdandi's board of directors, Dagens ETC.
Are you going to condemn the genocide when it's complete, Kristersson?
Annie Croona, Today's ETC.
Sweden supports the civilian population in Gaza
Maria Malmer, Stenergard, Minister for Foreign Affairs (M)
Benjamin Dousa, Minister of Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade (M), Aftonbladet.
At least 18 children dead – eating animal feed and leaves
Åsa Regnér, Secretary General
Cecilia Chatterjee-Martinsen, International Director, Save the Children, Aftonbladet.
The EU's vulnerability raises demands for self-sufficiency
Digital sovereignty is required for Europe's independence
Over 200 European technology companies, including Cleura, Elastx and Hopsworks, Svenska Dagbladet.
Europe is financing bombs against Ukraine – high time to get rid of Russian energy
Elias Rosell, Dagens Nyheter.
Leaders warn of global uncertainty under Trump
Donald Trump is a cowboy on a horse in the Middle East,
Clara Knäpper Bohman, Today's ETC
Donald Trump's 90-day doctrine is crippling the economy,
Dagens Nyheter's editorial team, Dagens Nyheter.
Aid is a vaccine for the future
Jonna Sima, Aftonbladet
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