Photo: Ingivld Mjøen Sausjord, Palestine Committee figcaption>
The humanitarian suffering in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israel’s war against international law is enormous. Since October 7, at least 100,000 people have been killed, injured or missing in Gaza. It is long overdue that Norway really stands up for a free Palestine, for real!
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Following South Africa’s lawsuit against Israel, the International Court of Justice has warned against the danger of genocide, and demanded that Israel take all measures to prevent it from happening. Norway, which recognizes international law, international laws and the UN, is obliged by the ruling to do everything in our power to prevent a genocide of the Palestinian population.
Over generations, Israeli authorities have established a regime that systematically discriminates against the Palestinian population in order to gain control over land and resources. This has been established by a thorough analysis of the Israeli authorities’ abuses against the Palestinians by Amnesty International’s legal experts. The Israeli authorities are responsible for extensive and systematic human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law against the Palestinian population.
Unfortunately, the political majority in Norway is not clear enough about its support for a free Palestine.
Unfortunately, the political majority in Norway is not clear enough about its support for a free Palestine. We saw this, for example, when the parliamentary majority voted no to recognize Palestine as an independent state now, and would rather do so “only when it can have a positive impact on a peace process”. It’s nowhere near enough. Norway must recognize Palestine as an independent state immediately! By recognizing Palestine as a separate state, for example, several of Israel’s brutal acts of war could be prosecuted.
The sale of Norwegian-made weapons to Israel must also be stopped immediately. Over 1,800 rocket launchers produced by Norwegian Nammo, of which the state owns 50%, have been sold to Israel and used by the Israeli authorities in their warfare against Palestine. This can end if the politicians are willing to do something about it. Norway must require an end-user declaration with a re-export clause from all countries to which we export weapons.
The politicians in the Storting must also put aside the irrational fear of using boycotts as a means of action. The State of Israel refuses to comply with UN resolutions and international law, and is exempt from international sanctions. As an effective and peaceful tool in the fight to end Israel’s illegal occupation and prevent further violations of international law, Norway should boycott, divest and sanction (BDS) the state of Israel.
The situation is critical for tens of thousands of people. Norway must do more, and take responsibility as the humanitarian superpower we traditionally are. It is not enough to just feel sorry for people in a critical situation. Palestinians need concrete political action from the Norwegian authorities, to end Israel’s brutal occupation and warfare.
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