Norway closes representative office in Palestine, blames Netanyahu
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Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and calls Netanyahu's decisions 'extreme and unreasonable'.
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Norwegian counterpart Espen Barth Eide speaks during a joint press conference at the Foreign Ministry in Berlin, Thursday, March 14, 2024. (AP)
Norway's Representative Office in al-Ram in Palestine announces the closing of its office until further notice "as a result of the Netanyahu government's decision to no longer facilitate Norway's representation to the Palestinian Authority."
A statement by Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said, "We consider the Netanyahu government's decision to be extreme and unreasonable. This decision seeks to target the Palestinians and the Palestinian Authority and all those who defend international law, the two-state solution and the Palestinians' legitimate right to self-determination."
The statement reiterated the country's "full force" support for the Palestinian people and the Palestinian Authority.
Eide added, "We will do our utmost to ensure that this does not affect our work for Palestine and for a viable Palestinian state. Our commitment will continue with full force. We are now working to determine how best to organise our work going forward. We will continue our active work to achieve a sustainable two-state solution, which we believe is in the best interests of the security of both Israelis and Palestinians and for the other countries in the Middle East."
Read more: Norway PM lists reasons why Palestine must be recognized as state
Eide further accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decisions which "obviously has consequences for our work in Palestine. It affects our locally employed staff. Many of them have worked at the representative office for several years. It also affects our diplomats and their families. We are now fully focused on how to safeguard our employees and our work in the best possible way."
The foreign minister expressed gratitude for the support from "a number of key countries over the past week. We look forward to continuing our cooperation for a viable Palestinian state and a sustainable two-state solution."
"We have been clear that the hostages must be released immediately and that a ceasefire is more urgent than ever. Important negotiations on a ceasefire and the release of the hostages are currently taking place in Doha. It is high time that this agreement is reached," Eide concluded.
Back in May, Norway alongside Spain and Ireland, recognized the state of Palestine.
"Norway has been one of the most fervent defenders of a Palestinian state for more than 30 years," Eide said in a statement at the time, adding, "The day that Norway officially recognises Palestine as a state is a special day for Norway-Palestine relations."
Barth Eide also lamented "Israel's" lack of "constructive commitment" to a Palestinian state.
"It is regrettable that the Israeli government shows no sign of constructive commitment," the Norwegian FM said, calling on the international community to boost its efforts for a "two-state solution".
"I trust the Palestinian government will continue the difficult reform work and lay the groundwork for governance in the West Bank as well as Gaza after a ceasefire," he added.
