Israel Matzav

Norway refuses to recognize imaginary state

Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store, who arrives in Israel on Tuesday, told the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation's web site on Sunday that Norway would not recognize the imaginary state of 'Palestine.'

Over the last few weeks, officials in Jerusalem have broadly dismissed the idea that European countries would follow the South American lead and recognize a Palestinian state. That being said, Norway is often mentioned as the most likely candidate to grant that recognition, if any country in Europe would make such a move, partly because it is not a member of the EU.

But Støre said it was impossible for the Palestinians simply to declare that “now we are a state” without negotiating core issues such as Jerusalem, refugees and water.

Støre said that while not having any “magic wand,” Norway had an important role to play in the region because it “knows the parties well.”

Acknowledging past Israeli criticism of Norway’s role in the region, he said that it was possible to understand the criticism when placed in context, and that he was aware that Israel was exposed from a security point of view, “with Iran, an unstable Lebanon and Hamas.”

In addition, he said, Israeli society was going through “great change,” with a million immigrants from eastern Europe, something he said had led to changes in the country’s politics and political climate.

Last month, Israel protested Norway’s upgrade of the Palestinian presence in there from representation to delegate status, with the Foreign Ministry’s Deputy Director-General for Western Europe Naor Gilon calling in the Norwegian charge d’affaires to protest. Gilon said that in light of the Palestinian refusal to negotiate, this upgrade “does not contribute to promoting or advancing the peace process.”

Gilon also said at the time that the Norwegian move raised questions about whether Norway “has the balance required” of a country that chairs the Ad Hoc Liaison Group, or donor group to the Palestinians.

Let's see how long this lasts.

What could go wrong?

Labels: Jonas Gahr Store, Norway, unilateral declaration of statehood

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:24 PM