Espen Barth Eide believes Norwegian letter led to conflict with Israel – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country

Last week, the government sent a letter stating that Norway, as a party to the Oslo Accords, thought the International Criminal Court (ICC) could hear the case against Hamas leaders and the government in Israel. – We now understand that one of the triggering factors was not the recognition of Palestine, but that Norway clearly expressed in the International Criminal Court that it is not true, as others have said, that the court has no jurisdiction because of the Oslo agreement. It was an assessment we delivered last week, and if it is revealed the Netanyahu government is heavy on its chest, says Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide (Ap) On Thursday, Israel withdrew the diplomatic status of eight Norwegian representatives in the Palestinian territories. Wants arrest warrant In May, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said that he believed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant were guilty of war crimes in Gaza, and that they should be held responsible for this. If the court were to issue an arrest warrant, they could be arrested if they visit one of the 24 countries that are members of the court. Norway is a member, while the USA and Israel are among the countries that are not members. Khan also asked for arrest warrants to be issued for the three Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri. Haniyeh was killed by a bomb in Tehran, Iran at the end of July. The start of extensive proceedings from Fråsegna to Khan led to reactions in the USA and Great Britain, among others, and the court was exposed to pressure from several quarters. Among other things, Great Britain challenged the court, and believed that they had no right to request that the Israeli politicians be arrested. The ICC also launched an extensive process in which more than 70 states and organizations will give their views on the matter. It was in connection with this process that Norway sent the letter. The United Kingdom withdrew from the process at the end of July. It was explained that they had got a new government. But the process continues, the ICC confirmed to news in July. Withdrawal of diplomatic status Last week it was announced that Israel had withdrawn the diplomatic status of eight Norwegian representatives who staff Norway’s representative office on Vestbreidda. The development was seen in connection with the fact that Norway was among the countries that have recognized Palestine as its own state. The Foreign Minister called the recall an extreme act. On Monday, Eide says that they have received broad international support after what has happened. – We have support from the USA, the EU, Germany and Great Britain, who have contacted Israel and asked them to reverse the decision on the Norwegian diplomats. Published 12.08.2024, at 15.13 Updated 12.08.2024, at 15.40



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