Norway's Representative Office in Palestine is closed until further notice

‘We consider the Netanyahu government's decision to be extreme and unreasonable. This decision seeks to target the Palestinians and the Palestinian Authority and all those who defend international law, the two-state solution and the Palestinians' legitimate right to self-determination,‘ says Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. 

Norway's support for the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people will continue with full force.

‘We will do our utmost to ensure that this does not affect our work for Palestine and for a viable Palestinian state. Our commitment will continue with full force. We are now working to determine how best to organise our work going forward. We will continue our active work to achieve a sustainable two-state solution, which we believe is in the best interests of the security of both Israelis and Palestinians and for the other countries in the Middle East,‘ says Mr. Eide.

For more than 30 years, Norway and the Representative Office have worked for a two-state solution, peace between Israel and Palestine and building Palestinian institutions.

‘The Netanyahu government's decision obviously has consequences for our work in Palestine. It affects our locally employed staff. Many of them have worked at the representative office for several years. It also affects our diplomats and their families. We are now fully focused on how to safeguard our employees and our work in the best possible way,‘ says Mr. Eide.

On Thursday, the Foreign Minister spoke with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa about the way forward.

Norway has received strong support from many countries after the Netanyahu government effectively expelled Norwegian diplomats from Palestine. The USA, the EU, Germany, the UK and France, among others, have protested to Israel over the matter.

‘We are grateful for the support we have received from a number of key countries over the past week. We look forward to continuing our cooperation for a viable Palestinian state and a sustainable two-state solution,‘ says the Foreign Minister.

‘Norway is a friend of Israel and the Israeli people. We have strongly condemned Hamas' terrorist attack against Israel on October 7 last year. We have been clear that the hostages must be released immediately and that a ceasefire is more urgent than ever. Important negotiations on a ceasefire and the release of the hostages are currently taking place in Doha. It is high time that this agreement is reached,‘ says the Foreign Minister. 

Norwegian citizens in need of consular assistance can contact the MFA's operational center by phone +47 23 95 00 00 and email 247@mfa.no.