Norway’s representative office in Palestine will be closed until further notice

– We consider the Netanyahu government’s decision to be extreme and unreasonable. This decision seeks to hit the Palestinians and the Palestinian Authority and everyone who defends international law, the two-state solution and the Palestinians’ legitimate right to self-determination, says Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide (Ap) in a press release.

Norway’s support for the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people must be continued with full force. The work to achieve a sustainable two-state solution continues, he emphasizes.

– We will do our utmost to ensure that this does not go beyond our work for Palestine and for a Palestinian state, says Eide.

Support from other countries

Norway is now working to find out how best to organize the work going forward.

The foreign minister spoke on Thursday with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa about the way forward.

Norway has received support from many countries after the Netanyahu government has in practice expelled Norwegian diplomats from Palestine. Among others, the USA, EU, Germany, Great Britain and France have protested against Israel on the occasion of the case, states the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

– In high time with agreement

At the same time, Eide emphasizes that Norway is a friend of Israel and the Israeli people.

– We have condemned Hamas’ terrorist attack against Israel on 7 October last year in the strongest possible terms. We have been clear that the hostages must be released immediately, and that a ceasefire is more urgent than ever, says the foreign minister.

Negotiations are currently underway in Doha on a ceasefire and the release of the hostages.

– It is very high time that this agreement is now concluded, he says.