Sweden Recognised Palestine 11 Years Ago – What Happened Since Then?

In 2014, Sweden made history. It became the first country inside the European Union to officially recognise the State of Palestine. At the time, the decision created headlines across the world, praise from Palestinians, and anger from Israel.

Now, more than a decade later, it is worth asking: what has happened since then? Did Sweden’s bold move change anything? And how has it influenced Europe and the wider world?

The Decision in 2014

On October 30, 2014, Sweden’s new government, led by Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, announced that it would recognise Palestine as a state. Foreign Minister Margot Wallström explained the reasoning: Sweden believed the legal conditions for recognition were met and that both Israelis and Palestinians had the right to live in peace, side by side.

The decision came just weeks after the new government took office. It was not completely unexpected. Sweden’s Social Democratic Party had long promised to recognise Palestine, and the Greens, who were part of the coalition, supported the move as well.

But still, it shocked many. Until then, no EU member state had taken this step.

International Reactions

The recognition was celebrated by Palestinians and their leaders. They saw it as an important show of support from Europe and proof that their claim to statehood was being taken seriously.

Israel, however, strongly opposed it. The Israeli government recalled its ambassador to Sweden and accused the Swedes of acting in a one-sided way that would make peace harder to achieve.

Other countries reacted more carefully. Some EU states, like Spain and Ireland, praised the decision but stopped short of following it. The United States, Israel’s main ally, also criticised Sweden’s move.

Why Sweden Did It

Sweden’s leaders argued that recognition was the right thing to do for several reasons:

Support for peace:

They said recognising Palestine could strengthen moderate voices and create better conditions for talks.

Fairness:

Sweden argued that both Israel and Palestine had the right to self-determination.

International law:

According to the government, Palestine met the criteria for statehood under international law.

In short, the Swedish government wanted to encourage balance in the peace process, which they felt had been stuck for too long.

The Years After

After the recognition, Sweden faced a period of tense relations with Israel. Diplomats worked to ease the situation, but ties between the two countries were not the same for years.

Inside Sweden, the decision also sparked debate. Some politicians said the government acted too quickly and without enough consultation. A parliamentary watchdog later criticised the way the recognition was handled, although it did not reject the recognition itself.

For Palestinians, Sweden’s step gave hope. But the reality on the ground did not change. The conflict continued, settlements expanded, and peace talks stalled.

Sweden’s Influence in Europe

One of the most important outcomes was how Sweden’s recognition influenced the debate in Europe.

Other countries began to consider similar moves. Over the years, parliaments in Spain, Ireland, and the UK held symbolic votes in favour of recognition. These were not official recognitions, but they showed that Sweden had started something new.

In 2025, eleven years later, the effect is more visible. France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and Andorra have joined the list of countries that recognise Palestine. Sweden’s decision is often seen as the starting point for this shift in Europe.

The Bigger Picture

Still, the bigger question remains: has recognition helped peace? The answer is complicated.

On the one hand, recognition has given Palestinians more diplomatic support and helped them push for greater rights at the international level. On the other hand, it has not stopped the violence or brought the two sides back to the table in a meaningful way.

For Israel, many leaders see these recognitions as unfair pressure. For Palestinians, they are a sign that the world is slowly moving in their favour, even if change is slow.

Eleven Years Later

Looking back, Sweden’s recognition of Palestine was a brave step. It showed that one country, even a small one, could set an example in global diplomacy.

It did not solve the conflict. It did not end the occupation or bring peace overnight. But it did change the conversation. Today, when more countries debate recognising Palestine, they often point to Sweden as the pioneer that started it all.

As the world continues to search for a path to peace in the Middle East, Sweden’s decision in 2014 reminds us of something important: recognition is more than just a piece of paper. It is a message of hope, a sign of solidarity, and a reminder that diplomacy still matters.