Norway’s Foreign Minister criticizes “extreme act”, saying it will affect the country’s ability to help the Palestinian people.
Israel has revoked the diplomatic status of eight Norwegian diplomats serving in occupied Palestinian territory.
“There is a price for anti-Israel behavior,” Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday, citing Norway’s recognition of Palestinian statehood and its support for an International Criminal Court case ( ICC) implicating Israeli leaders in alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. as reasons for change.
The Norwegian ambassador was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem on Thursday, where he was informed that the diplomats, all based in Tel Aviv, would have their accreditation revoked within seven days and their visas canceled within three months.
“This is an extreme act that primarily affects our ability to help the Palestinian population,” said Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide in a statement, warning that the decision would have “consequences” for its relationship with the Israeli government. .
Norway is still considering its response to the situation.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Thursday that cited “serious statements by senior Norwegian officials” that were seen as anti-Israeli.
In an official note delivered to the Norwegian embassy in Tel Aviv, the ministry also accused Norway of “unilateral policies and statements” since the October 7 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that preceded Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Spain, Ireland and Norway announced their decision to recognize a Palestinian state in May, drawing a sharp rebuke from Israel, whose leaders have repeatedly spoken out against the creation of a Palestinian state.
Israel reacted furiously, accusing the three of “rewarding terrorism” and immediately withdrawing its ambassadors to Ireland, Norway and Spain.
It also ordered Spain’s consulate in Jerusalem to stop offering consular services to Palestinians from June 1, with Katz saying at the time that it was a “punitive” measure.
In May, ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan requested arrest warrants against top Israeli and Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes.
Khan announced that his office had “reasonable grounds” to believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant bore “criminal responsibility” for “war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
This story originally appeared on Aljazeera.com read the full story
