RAMALLAH, January 18, 2016 (WAFA) – Banning Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström by Israel following her remarks, in which she called for an investigation to be opened into Israel’s extrajudicial killings of Palestinians demonstrates, an overt defiance of the European Union, Monday stated the Palestinian Foreign Ministry.

The Foreign Ministry stated in a press release that it has been following with interest the developments of Israel’s bashing of Wallström following her calls for an investigation into Israel’s extrajudicial killings of Palestinians.

The Ministry emphasized that Israel’s official bashing of Wallström reflects the Israeli government’s paranoia when dealing with countries calling for granting justice to and ending the historic injustice that befell the Palestinian people.

“In an overt defiance of the EU and as part of its arrogant reactions to EU’s positions, the Israeli government has chosen to ban EU officials and ministers. As such, the Israeli government sends the rude message that it defies and puts to test EU’s capability to defend its ministers and officials,” stated the Foreign Ministry.

“Europe should more than ever before take a firm position vis-à-vis Israel’s violations and treat Israel similarly,” added the ministry.

Wallström called on last Tuesday for an investigation into the large number of Palestinians being killed by Israeli forces on a daily basis.

“It is vital that there are thorough and credible investigations into these deaths in order to clarify and bring about possible accountability,” she stated.

Following Wallström’s remarks,  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at her comments, saying that her accusations that Israel is committing extrajudicial executions were “outrageous and stupid.”

“I think what the Swedish foreign minister said is outrageous, I think it‘s immoral, it‘s unjust and it‘s just wrong,” Netanyahu reportedly said.

Attempting to equate Palestinians’ attempted stabbings against Israelis with the Paris attack, Netanyahu reportedly said: “The other day in Paris a knife-wielding terrorist was shot to death, is that extrajudicial killing? Does the Swedish foreign minister suggest that there be examinations of what happened there in Paris?" he asked.

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Ministry summoned and reprimanded the Swedish ambassador in Tel Aviv.

Israeli Foreign Ministry described the statements as “irresponsible and delusional,” adding that Wallstrom is "giving support to terror and thus encouraging violence."

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely reportedly said that Wallstrom would now be barred from visiting Israel.

“We decline to host the Swedish foreign minister in Israel. The State of Israel is closing its doors to official Swedish visits,” said Hotovely.

The ministry said the Swedish foreign minister was “giving support to terror and thus encouraging violence.”

During the escalation of violence that started at the outset of October 2015, Israeli forces have killed 158 Palestinians and injured  over 16,000 others.

Israeli has been criticized for its reflexive use of lethal force when Palestinian alleged attackers no longer pose an immediate threat. In other cases, Palestinians may not have been attempting any attacks when they were shot dead by Israeli forces.

K.F./T.R.