Israel delays press credentials for Swedish team

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Press TV
Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:15:16 GMT



Israel denies press credentials for the Swedish daily Aftonbladet amid a row over an article accusing Israeli troops of involvement in an organ theft scandal.

The newspaper published They plunder the organs of our sons last Tuesday, suggesting that the Israeli army kidnapped and killed young Palestinians to harvest their organs.

The article, authored by freelance journalist Donald Bostrom, sparked outrage among Israeli officials who immediately called on Sweden to condemn the report.

The Swedish Embassy in Tel Aviv called the report "appalling," but Sweden's Foreign Ministry refused to condemn it, saying the country has a "free press."

Now two journalists for the Scandinavian daily will have to wait for Israeli press credentials, CNN reported.

The reporter and cameraman from Aftonbladet were told Sunday when they applied for press accreditation that the process could take up to 90 days and that the newspaper's decision to run the organ harvesting article last week will be taken into consideration when the request is considered.

"We have no duty to supply them with press cards immediately; we have 90 days to decide about their status," said Danny Seaman, the head of Israel's press office.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the Swedish government to condemn the article.

“We're not asking the Swedish government for an apology, we're asking for their condemnation,” an official - speaking on condition of anonymity - quoted Netanyahu as saying.

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