Israel-Sweden: The Situation Worsens

After weeks of tension, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt has canceled his visit to Israel which was scheduled for September 11.

Israeli diplomats had already stated that unless there was a condemnation of the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet's article blaming Israeli troops for harvesting organs of dead Palestinians, it would cast a serious cloud over Bildt's trip.

Bildt stated that he canceled his trip to Jerusalem due to the "bad timing" amidst the ongoing talks between the U.S. and Israel on the peace process. However, Haaretz reports from a source at the Israeli Foreign Ministry that the real reason was concern in Stockholm over an icy welcome for the Swedish minister.