Oslo issued a stern warning to Israel, stating that diplomatic relations between the two nations would be adversely affected by Jerusalem’s decision to revoke the diplomatic status of Norwegian officials working with the Palestinian Authority.
“Today’s decision will have consequences for our relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. We are considering what measures Norway will take to respond to the situation that the Netanyahu government has now created,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide announced on Thursday.
Eide described Israel’s decision as “extreme,” noting that it “primarily affects our ability to help the Palestinian population.” He emphasized the importance of maintaining “well-functioning diplomatic channels,” especially given the significant regional tensions.
“Norway is and will always be a friend of Israel and the Israeli people. At the same time, Norway has been clear in its criticism of the occupation, the manner in which the war in Gaza has been conducted, and the suffering this has caused the Palestinian civilian population,” Eide stated.
The Norwegian foreign minister’s remarks came after Israel’s Foreign Ministry informed the Norwegian embassy that diplomats assigned to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah would no longer be permitted to reside within sovereign Israel, including Tel Aviv.
