Diplomatic Dispute Between Norway and Israel, EU Issues Position Statement

On August 8, the European Union's External Action Service issued a statement saying that on the same day, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, held a phone conversation with the Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt. During the conversation, Huitfeldt said that the Netanyahu government of Israel has decided to revoke the diplomatic status of the Norwegian official responsible for liaison with the Palestinian affairs.

Borrell said that the EU strongly condemns this unreasonable decision, which goes against the spirit of the Oslo Accords and seriously undermines the normal relations and cooperation between European countries and Palestine.

The statement said that the head of the EU delegation to Israel has conveyed the EU's position to the Israeli government. The EU believes that the current dispute is not a bilateral issue between Israel and Norway, but a matter of concern to all those committed to peace and stability in the Middle East.