Government Warning to Businesses

Shortly after the UN resolution, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide issued a clear warning to Norwegian companies, urging them to avoid trade and business activities that contribute to maintaining Israel’s occupation.

While the government has not imposed an explicit ban,legal experts suggest that general warnings may not suffice. Geir Ulfstein, a law professor, stated, The obligation for preventing illegal trade and investment cannot be left to business.

Legal Organization Demands Accountability

The legal organization Defense International Law is seeking clarity on the consequences for Norway’s relationship with Israel if the country fails to comply with the UN’s demand to end the occupation.

In a letter to Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide,the organization questions whether norway’s legal duties will be intensified if Israel does not comply.

Defense International Law emphasizes that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has affirmed that the occupation of Palestinian areas is illegal. Vjosa Maxhuni, the organization’s chairman, stated:

Norway has long been an important voice for international law – now we should take leadership in the follow -up of ICJ’s assessments and the UN decision.
Vjosa Maxhuni,Chairman of Defense International Law

obligations and Potential Measures

Defense International Law asserts that Norway is legally obligated to implement measures against Israel,specifying that these obligations include:

• Refraining from economic and trade relations with israel that contribute to settlement activities.
• Preventing trade and investments that could contribute to the occupation.
• Stopping the import of goods from Israeli settlements.
• Prohibiting the delivery of weapons and weapon parts to Israel.
• Sanctioning support for the occupation through travel bans and freezing of assets.

As of now,the Foreign Ministry has not responded to the letter,according to senior adviser Mathias Rongved.

Criticism of the Oil Fund’s Investments

The Oil Fund has faced criticism for its investments in companies operating in Israeli settlements,including those on a UN blacklist.

Organizations such as LO, Trade Union, Save the Children, and Norwegian People’s Aid have voiced concerns, and SV has called for stricter guidelines in the Storting.

Amnesty International also believes that the Fund’s guidelines need to be strengthened. astri Sjoner of Amnesty stated:

We see again and again that the Oil Fund invests in companies that are likely to contribute to occupation and human rights violations.It must have consequences.
Astri Sjoner, Amnesty International

The Oil Fund refers to the Council on Ethics, which maintains that the threshold for excluding companies should be high. The Council stated in its latest annual report that the guidelines are not intended to lead to the exclusion of companies with any connection to international law violations, whether in the west Bank or other conflict areas.