Norway Decides to Close Its Diplomatic Mission Offices in Ramallah

Norway has decided today, Sunday, to close its diplomatic mission offices in Ramallah due to Israeli pressures following Oslo's recognition of the State of Palestine. The Norwegian announcement stated, "The Norwegian mission office in Palestine is closed until further notice as a result of the Netanyahu government's decision not to facilitate our representation to the Palestinian Authority. Our representative office in Ramallah, Palestine, must be closed effective today." Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide stated, "The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the closure of its diplomatic mission offices in Ramallah, following the decision of Foreign Minister Israel Katz not to allow its diplomats to work with the Palestinian Authority." It is noteworthy that the decision to prevent diplomats working officially in Israel from engaging with the Palestinian Authority was made by Foreign Minister Israel Katz, who punished the Norwegians "for the hostile stance" they have shown towards Israel since the beginning of the war.