politics
Norway Proposes Trade Ban With Israeli Settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territory
Norway's government announced a draft bill that would prohibit trade in goods produced in Israeli settlements and ban related real estate and business transactions. The measure would apply to the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. A three-month consultation period on the proposal begins immediately.
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Norway's government announced plans to ban all trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory and introduced a draft bill to implement the prohibition. The proposed legislation would cover goods produced in the settlements as well as real estate transactions, construction services, and the acquisition of businesses located in those areas.
Officials stated the measure aims to prevent Norwegian citizens and companies from contributing to activities they described as unlawful.
Norway recognized the state of Palestine in 2024 alongside Ireland and Spain. The country is not a member of the European Union. Last week Norway joined five other nations in coordinated sanctions targeting networks involved in settler violence in the West Bank.
The draft bill is now open for public consultation for three months until September 19. The Israeli government withdrew its ambassador from Oslo and summoned the Norwegian representative in Tel Aviv. A United Nations special rapporteur described the proposal as a small step while questioning Norway's sovereign wealth fund investments in companies linked to the occupation.
