Norway joins international condemnation of West Bank settlement plans

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has joined leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Canada in issuing a joint statement opposing Israel's E1 settlement project on the West Bank. The group expressed deep concern over plans to build 1,200 homes, part of a larger project intended to house approximately 3,400 units. The statement asserts that these developments violate international law and threaten the viability of a two-state solution by bisecting the West Bank and undermining Palestinian territorial integrity.

In addition to the diplomatic protest, leaders have urged the business community to avoid bidding on these construction contracts, citing potential legal and reputational risks associated with involvement in violations of international law. Støre emphasized Norway's continued support for Palestine amidst rising instability and violence in the region.

Separately, during a visit to Bergen, Støre engaged with students regarding Norway's role in a changing global order. He addressed topics including the war in Europe, the geopolitical implications of Greenland's self-determination, and his personal stance on EU membership, noting that he remains a supporter of joining the union.