Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released a draft legislation that would make it illegal for Norwegian citizens and companies to conduct certain business with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The proposal, still under public consultation until September 19, would prohibit the import of goods originating from those settlements and ban the export of Norwegian products to them. It would also restrict real‑estate transactions, construction, engineering services and investments tied to businesses headquartered in the settlements.
Proposed penalties
According to the consultation document, intentional violations could result in fines, imprisonment for up to three years, or both. Negligent violations would carry fines and up to six months in prison. The draft cites Section 7 of the ministry’s official consultation paper as the legal basis for these sanctions.
Government rationale
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide defended the measure, stating that Israeli settlements violate international law and undermine a two‑state solution. He said the legislation is intended to prevent Norwegian profit from activities that support what Norway views as unlawful settlement activity, which he linked to displacement, violence and obstacles to peace.
The ministry also referenced United Nations Security Council findings and International Court of Justice advisory opinions that label the settlements as illegal. It emphasized that the draft would exempt humanitarian aid and transactions the government determines have “sufficient Palestinian ties” and do not contribute to settlement construction or expansion.
International and religious backlash
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, condemned the proposal as “obsessive and openly hostile” toward Israel, accusing Norway of political grandstanding and damaging bilateral relations. The Israeli Foreign Ministry’s Northern Europe Department echoed the criticism, calling the draft “one‑sided rhetoric” that sacrifices the bilateral relationship for domestic interests.
Dag Juliussen, national director of the Norwegian branch of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, warned that the exemption language could allow trade with Palestinian residents while criminalizing comparable transactions with Jewish residents in the same territory. He described the bill as “deeply racist toward Jews” and argued it would effectively reward terrorism.
Public consultation and next steps
The draft law is currently in a public consultation phase, with responses due by September 19. Norway formally recognized a Palestinian state in 2024 and has become one of Israel’s most vocal European critics since the October 7, 2023 attacks.
Critics argue the legislation could set a precedent for other nations to target specific ethnic or religious groups through trade restrictions. Supporters contend it aligns Norway with international legal opinions on settlement illegality and reinforces a commitment to a peaceful two‑state solution.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
