called off its participation in international air force exercises to take place in
Apparently, the main reason behind this boycott is the involvement of the Israeli Air Force in extrajudicial killings in
A Swedish Foreign Ministry official said, "The point of the operation is to prepare for international cooperation in preserving world peace. The participation of the Israeli air force changes the prerequisites of the drill."
" is not currently acting in the name of peace, and therefore, it should not take part in the demonstration," senior officials in
Swedish Defense Minister Leni Bjorklund said that her country is withdrawing because of the participation of "a state that does not take part in preserving international peace."
Israeli officials responded harshly to this decision saying this is an anti-Israel attitude.
One government source said, "The lack of sympathy for in is out of proportion. Some government ministers spearhead the most anti-Israel approach in all of Europe, and particularly in
National Religious Party Chairman MK Zevulun Orlev, called ‘s decision anti-Semitic, saying, "Just a day after the commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day, an enlightened nation has risen and surrendered to the Islamic axis of evil."
is planning to send a military attaché to the region and is the main candidate to be the host.
