Palestine condemns Israeli decision to revoke accreditation of Norwegian diplomats

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – Palestine denounced on Thursday an Israeli decision to revoke the accreditation of Norwegian diplomats dealing with the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority as a “violation of international law.”

The Israeli Foreign Ministry revoked the accreditation of eight Norwegian diplomats dealing with the Palestinian Authority in response to Oslo’s recognition of Palestine as a state.

"We reject Israel's decision to revoke the diplomatic status of Norway's representatives to the Palestinian Authority," Ahmed al-Deek, a political adviser to the Palestinian foreign minister, told Anadolu.

“This decision is illegal and rejected as Norway's representation is part of the existing status quo that must not be changed,” he said, calling the Israeli move a “violation of international law.”

"The occupying state has no right to take this measure because the diplomats are representatives to the internationally recognized State of Palestine," al-Deek said.

Hussein al-Sheikh, the secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)’s Executive Committee, warned that the Israeli decision carries “major repercussions."

“The decision of the Israeli Foreign Ministry regarding the Norwegian mission in Palestine has dangerous dimensions and carries major repercussions,” he said on X.

“The countries of the world, especially the European countries, must respond to this measure in the same way, as it constitutes a violation and breach of international norms and laws.”

In May, Norway joined Spain and Ireland in recognizing Palestine as a state. Slovenia and Armenia followed suit in June.

The recognitions have angered Israel, which vowed to take measures against these countries.

Norway has a representative office in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Its diplomats, however, must pass through Israeli checkpoints in the West Bank to reach there.

Palestinians want to establish an independent state in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which is 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 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.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar