Norway decided on Sunday to close its diplomatic mission offices in Ramallah due to Israeli pressure following Oslo’s recognition of the state of Palestine.
The Norwegian announcement stated, “The office of the Norwegian mission in Palestine is closed until further notice as a result of the Netanyahu government’s decision not to facilitate our country’s representation to the Palestinian Authority. Our representative office in Ram in Palestine is to be closed starting today.”
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide announced, “The Norwegian Foreign Ministry has decided to close its diplomatic mission offices in Ramallah, following Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz’s decision to prohibit our diplomats from working with the Palestinian Authority.” This decision was taken by Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz, who penalized the Norwegians for the “hostile attitude” they have shown towards Israel since the beginning of the war.
Among the anti-Israel measures taken by Norway are the recognition of a Palestinian state, joining the lawsuit against Israel at the International Criminal Court, and the stern statements made by senior Norwegian officials. The Norwegian Foreign Minister described Netanyahu’s government’s decision as “extreme and unreasonable,” aimed at sabotaging the Palestinians, the Palestinian Authority, and everyone who defends international law, the two-state solution, and the legitimacy of the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. He added that “Norway’s support for the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people will continue with full force.”
