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Norway is preparing to take countermeasures after Israel withdrew the accreditation of eight Norwegian diplomats from its mission to the Palestinian Authority on Thursday (August 8), but still hopes to repair relations between the two countries.
Norway, Ireland and Spain Recognition Palestine declared independence on May 22, prompting Israel to immediately Remember Ambassador to three European countries.
Israel’s decision on Thursday to revoke certification applies only to Norway as relations between the two countries deteriorate.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said: “Instead of fighting Palestinian terrorism after October 7 and supporting Israel’s war against the Iranian axis of evil, Norway chose to reward Hamas murderers and rapists by recognizing the state of Palestine.” wrote On X, he presented the country’s decision against Norwegian diplomats.
Katz added: “Those who attack us and impose one-sided policies on us will pay a price.”
“This is an extreme action that affects our ability to help the Palestinian people in the first place. It shows once again that the Netanyahu government is actively working against a two-state solution,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Bart Eide said. Responded Israel announced the decision on Thursday.
“We are now considering what measures Norway will take in response,” he continued.
However, when ask If Norway were to similarly revoke the status of Israeli diplomats, Eide replied that the country would already There are “no such plans at the moment” and such a move “goes against his instincts” because “dialogue is most needed when there are differences”.
Norway receives support from EU and US
Norway receives EU support statement EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said:
“I strongly condemn (Israel’s) unjustified decision,” Borrell said on Thursday, adding that “This is not a bilateral issue between Israel and Norway, but an issue of concern to all those working for peace and stability in the Middle East.”
He added: “Norway plays an important role in the Middle East peace process and in supporting the Palestinian people.”
U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller expressed the same view. WHO explain Norway “has played an important role for a long time and we think it is very important that they continue to play that role,” but did not call on Israel to change its decision.
Norway and the peace process
Norway has long been committed to peace in the Middle East and has chaired the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee of the International Donors Group for Palestine since the launch of the Oslo peace process 30 years ago.
Regarding the ongoing war in Gaza, Norway was one of the first countries to call for a ceasefire and, in addition to ensuring around 100 million euros Transferred from Israel to the Palestinian Authority, it advises against commercial activities with Israeli settlements.
Norway also plays an active role in the Israeli-Palestinian work of the International Court of Justice. Promote peace talks and increase aid to Gaza.
July, Ed Something deny Meetings with Israel’s foreign minister and Netanyahu’s spokesman, David Mensertold Norwegian media TV2 That “There are enough local Jews haters in Hamas and Gaza already, we don’t need to import their supporters from abroad.”
Menser said he “did not think (Norway) condemned Hamas after the October 7 attack,” although Eide reiterated Norway’s Strong condemnation.
In the face of all this, Ed still hopes to repair the relationship.
He said: “Norway is and always will be a friend of Israel and the Israeli people,” but added: “Norway’s primary mission is to work towards a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the conflict in the Middle East.”
When asked what specific countermeasures the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was considering, the ministry said in an email to Euractiv that it had no further comment on Thursday’s statement at this time.
(Editing by Magnus Lund Nielsen and Daniel Ek)
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