Norwegian leaders urge Gaza ceasefire and call for humanitarian aid

Olav Fykse Tveit, preses of the Church of Norway, warned on 19 June 2025 that the conflict in the Middle East is escalating, citing casualties in Iran and Israel and a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. He urged a permanent cease‑fire, diplomatic solutions and emphasised the need to protect civilians, calling for prayers and solidarity from Norwegian congregations.

Around the same time, Tekna, Norway’s engineering and technology union, publicly supported the EU‑wide IndustriAll resolution condemning both the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023 and Israel’s subsequent response. The union demanded the immediate lifting of the Gaza blockade, unhindered humanitarian assistance and highlighted concerns that the actions could amount to war crimes or genocide. The stance sparked internal debate among members, with some praising the solidarity and others accusing the organization of bias.

Both statements reflect growing Norwegian civil‑society pressure for an end to the violence and for increased humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population.