Norwegian government advises companies to avoid trade supporting Israeli settlements in Palestine

By Faruk Zorlu

ANKARA (AA) – Norway is urging companies in the country to avoid business or trade that supports illegal Israeli settlements on occupied land.

Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide urged companies "not to engage in business cooperation or trade that serves to perpetuate the illegal Israeli settlements."

"The Norwegian business community has sought advisory guidelines from the Norwegian authorities," Eide said in a statement that emphasized the risks associated with engaging in economic activities within illegal Israeli settlements.

He said Israel's settlement policies in East Jerusalem and the West Bank violate international humanitarian law and human rights, hindering the peaceful resolution of conflicts and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Eide's advisory comes amid an intensification of settlement activity and increased violence against Palestinians, prompting concerns about human rights violations.

"The injustices being done to the Palestinians must stop," said Eide, echoing sentiments by other Western nations that have taken measures against the settlements.

The government expects Norwegian companies to comply with international standards, including the UN's Human Rights Principles and OECD Guidelines, in their operations, said Eide.

Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack led by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, in which 1,163 people were killed.

More than 31,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed in Gaza, and over 73,000 injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of most food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide, and guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.