Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide announced on Thursday that he summoned Israeli Ambassador Avi Nir-Feldklein in retaliation to Israel's actions earlier today, when it refused to provide accreditation to Norwegian envoys to the Palestinian Authority (PA). The Israeli government said it will "no longer facilitate Norway’s representation" to the PA due to Norway's "anti-Israel behavior." Norway recognized the Palestinian state in May.
"This is an extreme action that first and foremost affects our ability to help the Palestinian population. It shows once again that the Netanyahu government is actively working against a two-state solution," Eide said. He stressed Norway will "always be a friend of Israel and the Israeli people" but that it opposes the occupation of Gaza and Israel's treatment of the Palestinian population.
