Norway asks the UN to clarify Israel’s obligations under international law

′The international community cannot accept that the UN, international humanitarian organizations, and states continue to face systematic obstacles when working in Palestine and delivering humanitarian assistance to Palestinians under occupation. This undermines the right of Palestinians to receive humanitarian aid and lifesaving assistance. We have a collective obligation to respond to this. We are therefore requesting that The International Court of Justice (ICJ) pronounces on Israel's obligations to facilitate humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian population, delivered by international organizations, including the UN, and states,’ said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. 

Norway will submit a resolution to the UN General Assembly which will request the ICJ to give an advisory opinion on Israel's obligations as an occupying power to facilitate humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people. Several countries, along with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), have expressed support for the initiative. 

‘The Israeli government’s policy is making it increasingly difficult for Palestinians to access lifesaving assistance and basic services such as healthcare and education. The Knesset's legislation, which in practice prevents UNRWA from operating in Palestine, will have severe consequences for millions of civilians already living in the most dire of circumstances. It also undermines the stability of the entire Middle East.  Israel’s behavior contravenes international law and undermines efforts to establish a viable Palestinian state and the two-state solution,’ said Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.

The Norwegian UN initiative responds to Israel’s recent decisions. On 28 October, the Israeli parliament passed a law that, in practice, prevents UNRWA from working in Palestine. Over the past year, multiple staff members of other UN agencies have experienced arbitrary and systematic obstacles to their lifesaving humanitarian work. Other organizations and states have also faced severe difficulties in their delivery of humanitarian aid and support to the Palestinian population. 

Under international law, Israel is obligated to support the Palestinian population under occupation. This was reaffirmed by The International Court of Justice on 19 July, where the court stated, “Israel is obligated to administer the occupied territory in a manner that benefits the local population.”

‘With this initiative, Norway aims to affirm that no country, including Israel, is exempt from its international legal obligations. We observe similar trends in other countries, where leaders are attempting to undermine international humanitarian law and delivery of assistance in situations of crisis and conflict. This development must be stopped,’ said Foreign Minister Eide.