Norwegian foundation NOREF coordinated with Hamas on EU policy

Internal Hamas documents recovered from Gaza and analyzed by NGO Monitor indicate that the Norwegian Centre for Conflict Resolution (NOREF) engaged in systematic coordination with high-ranking Hamas officials in 2021.

According to the documents, a meeting took place on May 15, 2021, involving NOREF representatives Marte Heian-Engdal and Frida Nome, alongside Hamas officials Basem Naim and Abdallah Walid. The stated agenda was to “mediate the relationship between Hamas and the European Union.”

Hamas reportedly viewed NOREF as a strategic channel to influence European Union policy and mitigate the group's international isolation. Documents suggest Hamas intended to use the “negative reality in the Palestinian territories” to pressure European leaders into changing their stance toward the organization. While NOREF describes itself as an independent foundation, it was established by the Norwegian government and receives primary funding from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.