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Israeli officials will not meet visiting Swedish FM

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File -- In this April 25, 2016 file photo, Swedish foreign minister Margot Wallstrom speaks after her meeting with Sri Lankan counterpart Mangala Samaraweera in Colombo, Sri Lanka. In an apparent diplomatic snub, Israel says none of its officials will meet with Wallstrom who arrives for a visit Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman cited a "scheduling issue" for the decision not to meet with Wallstrom. It is highly unusual for a visiting high-level dignitary not to meet any Israeli officials. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena, File)

JERUSALEM – In an apparent diplomatic snub, Israel said Tuesday that none of its officials will meet with the Swedish foreign minister during a visit this week.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon cited a “scheduling issue” for the decision not to meet with Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom. It is highly unusual for a visiting high-level dignitary not to meet any Israeli officials.

Wallstrom arrives Thursday and is expected to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Sweden’s relations with Israel have been strained since the Social Democratic-led government in 2014 recognized Palestinian statehood, and Wallstrom’s comments on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have elicited angry responses from Israeli officials.

“I would have liked to visit Israel as well, but unfortunately they couldn’t confirm it,” Wallstrom said in a statement.

As foreign minister, Wallstrom has been outspoken on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Her statements have riled not just Israel but also Saudi Arabia, which temporarily recalled its ambassador from Sweden last year after Wallstrom criticized the kingdom’s human rights record.

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