9 erring body care centers shut in Riyadh    20,000 military emblems confiscated in Riyadh    Al-Samaani visits headquarters of Hague Conference on Private International Law    KSrelief provided over $7bln to support children around the world    Al-Jasser: Saudi Arabia to expand rail network to over 8,000 km    OMODA&JAECOO: Unstoppable global cumulative sales over 360,000 units    Saudi Arabia sees 73.7% rise in investment licenses in Q3 2024    Al Hilal doesn't need extra support to bring new players, CEO says    Rust premieres at low-key film festival three years after shooting    Fate of Gaetz ethics report uncertain after congressional panel deadlocked    Ukraine fires UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles at Russia for first time    Netanyahu offers $5 million and safe passage out of Gaza to anyone returning a hostage    Indian billionaire Gautam Adani indicted in New York on fraud charges    Rafael Nadal: Farewell to the 'King of Clay'    Indonesia shocks Saudi Arabia with 2-0 victory in AFC Asian Qualifiers    Sitting too much linked to heart disease –– even if you work out    Yemeni Orchestra's captivating performances in Riyadh, showcasing shared cultural legacies    Future of Ronaldo's Al Nassr contract remains undecided, says Saudi Pro League CEO    GASTAT report: 45.1% of Saudis are overweight    Denmark's Victoria Kjær Theilvig wins Miss Universe 2024    Order vs. Morality: Lessons from New York's 1977 Blackout    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Norway and Israel in diplomatic row over Palestine recognition
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 11 - 08 - 2024

Norway and Israel have been in a diplomatic dispute for months following Oslo's decision to recognize Palestine as a state, a move that provoked a strong reaction from Tel Aviv. In response, Israel has taken several measures against Norway and the Palestinians.
Most recently, Israel revoked the accreditation of Norwegian diplomats working with the Palestinian Authority following the decision 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.
"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 assessing possible responses to the situation "created by the Netanyahu government."
Israel defended its actions, citing a "flurry of anti-Israeli and unilateral steps" by the Norwegian government. The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that Norway's ambassador had been summoned and informed that the diplomats' accreditation would be revoked within seven days, with their visas set to expire in three months.
In May, Norway joined Spain and Ireland in recognizing Palestine as a state, followed by Slovenia and Armenia in June. These recognitions have angered Israel, which has vowed to take measures against these countries.
Norway maintains a representative office in Ramallah, in the West Bank, and its diplomats must pass through Israeli checkpoints to reach their offices.
Before the formal recognition, Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized the importance of maintaining prospects for a two-state solution. "In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: two states, living side by side, in peace and security," Støre said in May.
However, in late June, Israel's War Cabinet approved measures proposed by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich aimed at "legalizing" settlement outposts in the West Bank and imposing sanctions on the Palestinian Authority. Tel Aviv's official broadcasting authority, KAN, reported that the Security Cabinet had approved Smotrich's plan to counter Palestinian statehood recognition and actions against Israel in international courts.
In early July, Smotrich, a far-right minister, threatened to establish a new settlement for each country that recognizes Palestine as a state. Shortly after, Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz rejected a request for a visit by Norwegian counterpart Espen Barth Eide, citing Norway's recognition of a Palestinian state, its refusal to recognize Hamas as a terror organization, and its support for South Africa's case against Israel in The Hague.
Palestinians seek to establish an independent state in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, a goal opposed by Israel. Last month, the Knesset (Israel's parliament) voted to reject the establishment of a Palestinian state, calling it an "existential threat" to Israel.
In a landmark opinion issued on July 19, the International Court of Justice declared Israel's decades-long occupation of Palestinian land "illegal" and demanded the evacuation of all existing settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. — Agencies


Clic here to read the story from its source.