Diplomatic crisis between Sweden and Israel following newspaper story

A Swedish newspaper has published a second article accusing the Israeli army of harvesting Palestinian organs. A Palestinian family in the West Bank reportedly told the newspaper 'Aftonbladet' that the body of their 19-year-old son, killed by Israeli soldiers in 1992, was returned to them wrapped in bandages and that they found a scar running from his neck to his stomach. The newspaper published a picture that the family said showed their son's body. The IDF had reportedly told the family the scar was from an autopsy. The article calls on Israel to investigate the issue to put a stop to the rumors or to the practice.

In an editorial published on Monday, 'Aftonbladet' Editor Jan Helin defended his decision to print the controversial articles, saying that he was "a responsible editor who gave the green light to an article because it raises a few questions." He added that the newspaper had no actual evidence that the allegations against the Israeli Army were true.

Meanwhile, thousands of Israelis have signed on to a boycott of the Swedish furniture retailer IKEA via an online petition. The petition calls the publication of the articles "anti-Semitic" and "a Medieval-type blood libel." There is one IKEA store in Netanya and a second outlet in Israel is set to open in 2010.

Citing freedom of the press, the Swedish Foreign Ministry rejected a condemnation of the story. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, called on the Swedish government to condemn the article. "Statements in the Swedish press were outrageous. We are not expecting an apology, we are expecting condemnation," Netanyahu stated.

The controversy comes two weeks before Carl Bildt, the Swedish foreign minister, is scheduled to visit Israel. Sweden currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union.