Israel Revokes Norwegian Diplomatic Accreditation over Palestine Recognition

Norway and Israel have been in conflict for months after Oslo recognized Palestine as a state, a move that provoked strong criticism from Tel Aviv’s regime. In response, the Zionist regime has implemented several measures against Norway and the Palestinians.

Most recently, Israel revoked the accreditation of Norwegian diplomats dealing with the Palestinian Authority, a decision made in late May. Israel also reportedly withdrew and canceled some bank deposits in Norwegian accounts.

"We received a message today from the Netanyahu government that it will no longer facilitate the work of Norwegian diplomats in the Palestinian territories," the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

"This is an extreme act that severely impacts our ability to assist the Palestinians. Israel's decision to revoke the diplomatic status of members of our embassy is an extreme measure and will have consequences," the ministry added, noting that it was considering potential responses to the situation "created by the Netanyahu government."

The Israeli regime's foreign ministry announced that Norway's ambassador had been summoned and informed that the diplomats would have their accreditation revoked within seven days and their visas within three months.

In May, Norway joined Spain and Ireland in recognizing Palestine as a state, with Slovenia and Armenia following suit in June. Israel reacted strongly to these recognitions, promising to take action against the countries involved.

Norway operates a representative office in Ramallah, in the West Bank, but its diplomats must pass through Israeli checkpoints to reach the office.

Before Norway's formal recognition, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store emphasized the importance of preserving the possibility of a two-state solution.

However, Israel's war cabinet approved measures in late June proposed by finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, which included "legalizing" settlement outposts in the West Bank and imposing sanctions on the Palestinian Authority.

In early July, Smotrich, a far-right minister, threatened to establish a new settlement for each country that recognized Palestine as a state.

Shortly after, Israel's foreign minister Israel Katz canceled a visit request from his Norwegian counterpart, Espen Barth Eide.

Katz declined Eide's request due to "Oslo's recognition of a Palestinian state, refusal to recognize Hamas as a terror organization, and support for South Africa’s case against Israel in The Hague," according to the Times of Israel.

Palestinians seek to establish an independent state, a goal that Israel opposes. Last month, the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) voted against the creation of a Palestinian state, labeling it an “existential threat” to Israel.

In a significant ruling on July 19, the International Court of Justice declared Israel's long-standing occupation of Palestinian territories "illegal" and called for the removal of all existing settlements in the West Bank and East al-Quds.