Israeli and Norwegian flags flutter outside the building housing the offices of Norway’s embassy in Tel Aviv. Israel has given notice it will no longer accredit Norwegian diplomats to the Palestinian Authority [Jack Guez/AFP]
Israel has revoked the diplomatic status of eight Norwegian diplomats serving the occupied Palestinian territory.
“There is a price for anti-Israel behaviour,” said Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Thursday, citing Norway’s recognition of Palestinian statehood and its backing of an International Criminal Court (ICC) case implicating Israeli leaders in alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity as reasons for the move.
The Norwegian ambassador was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem on Thursday, where he was informed that the diplomats, all based in Tel Aviv, would have their accreditation revoked in seven days and their visas annulled in three months.
“This is an extreme act that primarily affects our ability to help the Palestinian population,” said Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide in a statement, warning that the decision would have “consequences” for its relationship with the Israeli government.
The United States said the move was counterproductive and stymied Norwegian efforts to encourage cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
“Norway has a long history of playing a productive role when it comes to engaging with the government of Israel engaging with the Palestinian Authority,” Department of State spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters on Thursday.
Source: Al Jazeera
