Israel’s decision to revoke the diplomatic status of Norway’s envoys to the Palestinian Authority has sparked controversy and condemnation from the international community. The move comes in response to what Israel perceives as „anti-Israel behavior“ on the part of Norway during the recent Gaza war. The European Union and the United States have criticized the decision, citing Norway’s historical role in facilitating peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz justified the decision by accusing Norway of recent actions that are detrimental to Israel’s interests. This includes Norway’s recognition of a Palestinian state and its support for a pending International Criminal Court case against Israeli leaders for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Katz stated that there is a price to pay for such behavior, leading to the termination of Norway’s representation to the Palestinian Authority.
Norway, on the other hand, has condemned Israel’s decision as extreme and detrimental to their ability to assist the Palestinian population. Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide expressed disappointment in Israel’s response, stating that it will have consequences for their relationship with the Netanyahu government. Barth Eide later summoned the Israeli charge d’affaires to formally protest the decision.
The Palestinian Authority also criticized Israel’s move, accusing them of using baseless pretexts to pressure countries that support the Palestinian cause. The EU and the US have joined in condemning the decision, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell describing it as unwarranted and disruptive to normal relations with the Palestinian Authority.
This is not the first time Israel has taken such actions against countries that recognize a Palestinian state. In May, Israel ordered Spain’s consulate in Jerusalem to stop offering consular services to Palestinians from the West Bank as a punitive measure for Spain’s recognition of a Palestinian state. Spain, Ireland, and Norway had all previously announced their recognition of a Palestinian state, despite Israel’s opposition.
Norway has a long history of involvement in Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, including hosting secret talks that led to the Oslo Accords in the 1990s. These agreements aimed to establish Palestinian self-rule as a step towards statehood, but progress has been slow. The expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank has been a major obstacle to the realization of a Palestinian state, with many world leaders warning that it threatens the viability of a two-state solution.
Overall, Israel’s decision to revoke Norway’s diplomatic status to the Palestinian Authority has raised concerns about the future of peace negotiations in the region. The international community’s response highlights the importance of diplomatic efforts in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the need for all parties to engage constructively in the pursuit of peace.