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SvennoJ on 08 August 2024
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Israel’s move against Norway mission ‘carries dangerous dimensions’: PLO

We reported earlier that Israel’s Foreign Ministry had revoked the diplomatic accreditation of eight Norwegian diplomats based in Tel Aviv who dealt with the Palestinian Authority.

Hussein al-Sheikh, the secretary general of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), said the move “carries dangerous dimensions and has major repercussions”.

“The countries of the world, especially the European countries, must respond to this measure in kind, as it constitutes a violation and breach of international norms and laws,” he said in a statement on X.


Norway singled out by Israel for its positions

Commenting on Israel’s revocation of the accreditation of eight Norwegian diplomats, Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh says that the Scandinavian country has adopted positions fiercely opposed by Israel.

“Not only did it recognise Palestine, but it also endorsed the International Court of Justice advisory ruling that said that the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories is illegal,” said Odeh, reporting from Ramallah. “And it went to the International Criminal Court and lobbied it to reject arguments that it doesn’t have jurisdiction – that it shouldn’t issue warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant.”

Reacting to the Israeli decision, Norway’s foreign minister earlier made clear that his country would not change its positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“Norway is and always will be a friend of Israel and the Israeli people. At the same time, Norway has been clear in its criticism of the occupation, the way in which the war in Gaza has been conducted and the suffering this has caused the Palestinian people,” said Espen Barth Eide.


US says Israel revoking Norwegian diplomats’ status not ‘helpful’

The United States criticised Israel for revoking the diplomatic status of eight Norwegian diplomats to the Palestinian Authority, saying Oslo has played an important role in the Middle East.

“Norway has a long history of playing a productive role when it comes to engaging with the government of Israel engaging with the Palestinian Authority,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.

“We don’t think steps to prevent them from playing that role are particularly helpful,” he said.

Miller pointed to Norway’s secret diplomacy in brokering the landmark 1993 Oslo Accords, signed on the White House lawn, and more recently in collecting tax revenue intended for the Palestinian Authority.


EU condemns Israeli ban against Norwegian diplomats

The European Union’s foreign policy chief has strongly condemned the Israeli government decision to revoke the diplomatic status of Norwegian diplomats dealing with the Palestinian Authority.

Josep Borrell writes in a statement that the move “contradicts the spirit of Oslo Accords and disproportionately disrupts the normal relations and cooperation with the Palestinian Authority”.

“Upon my instructions, the Head of the EU Delegation in Tel Aviv has conveyed our position to the Israeli Government. This is not a bilateral question between Israel and Norway, but one of interest for all those working for peace and stability in the Middle East.”