Protesters denouncing Israel’s offensive in Gaza have disrupted a foreign policy debate in Sweden’s parliament as the country’s foreign minister reiterated support for Israel’s right to self-defence against Hamas.

Security guards escorted a woman out of the public gallery after she shouted that Israel “was committing genocide”, as Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom presented the government’s foreign policy declaration to parliament.

“Sweden supports Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself against Hamas in accordance with international law,” Billstrom said before being interrupted.

He added that “in light of the catastrophic situation in Gaza, the government believes that a ceasefire is necessary for humanitarian reasons.”

Protesters started to chant as members of parliament began debating the country’s support for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.

Police told AFP that six people were detained by security guards, and one of those had then been arrested suspected of “violent resistance”. A small group of protesters also gathered outside the parliament.