On Thursday, the US criticized Israel’s decision to revoke the accreditation of Norwegian diplomats involved with the Palestinian Authority (PA) as unproductive.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller highlighted Norway’s longstanding role in engaging with both Israel and the PA, noting their contributions to the Oslo Accords and recent efforts to facilitate the release of tax revenue to the PA. “We don’t believe that obstructing their ability to perform this role is helpful,” Miller stated. “Norway has played an important role historically and continues to be significant in dialogue with both the PA and Israel.”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry’s move to revoke the accreditation of eight Norwegian diplomats came in response to Norway’s recognition of Palestine as a state, a stance that has also been adopted by Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Armenia. Israel has pledged to take retaliatory measures against these nations.
