Foreign Ministry rails at ‘extremist’ Norway after revoking its diplomats’ status
Spokesman cites Oslo’s Palestinian state recognition, failure to call Hamas a terror group, support for ICC case; UK urges Israel ‘to reconsider,’ joining US and EU condemnations
The Foreign Ministry on Saturday accused Oslo of carrying out an “extreme, one-sided and anti-Israel” policy since Hamas’s October 7 attack, rejecting international criticism of the decision to strip the diplomatic status of Norwegian diplomats dealing with the Palestinian Authority.
Defending the decision, ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein cited the Scandinavian country’s failure to recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization; recognition of Palestinian statehood this May; and an August 5 amicus brief to Karim Khan, upholding the International Criminal Court Prosecutor’s request for arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
“This extremist policy of the Norwegian government prevents it from having the capability to continue to be a partner in discussions or activities with Israel on the Palestinian issue,” said Marmorstein in a Foreign Ministry statement.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz announced Thursday that he would revoke the accreditation and visas of eight Israel-based Norwegian diplomats, sparking a flurry of reactions from Norway, the European Union, the United States and others.
On Friday, Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said that it was deeply concerned by the move.
“Norway has long played a unique and valued role in supporting peace for Israelis and Palestinians. We urge Israel to reconsider,” said the FCDO.
Norway facilitated the secret talks between Israel and the Palestinians that led to the 1993 Oslo Accords and chairs the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, which coordinates development assistance to the Palestinians.
Britain’s statement followed similar messages Thursday from the US State Department and from EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller noted Norway’s role as a conduit of funds to the PA. Israel, which collects tax revenue for the PA under the Oslo Accords, had withheld a sum earmarked for Gaza, saying it would end up in the hands of Hamas. An agreement was reached in January to transfer the funds via Norway.
Norway has also summoned Israel’s ambassador following the revocation, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said Thursday.
The Foreign Ministry denied Eide entry into Israel in July, citing Oslo’s recognition of a Palestinian state. Norway formalized its recognition on May 28, along with Spain and Ireland.
Meanwhile, Oslo on Monday submitted an amicus brief to Khan, advising the ICC prosecutor that “there are no legal obstacles to issuing arrest warrants” against Netanyahu and Gallant.
The brief noted that Khan’s May 20 request for the warrants included a similar request for Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh, Muhammad Deif and Yahya Sinwar. However, since “two of the three Hamas-leaders have since been killed by Israel” — Haniyeh and Deif — “the following observations concern only the arrest warrants against” Netanyahu and Gallant.
Eide on May 22 said that if the warrants were issued, his country would have no choice but to carry them out.
Reuters contributed to this report.
