OSLO, Norway (ChatnewsTV) — Norway has formally requested the United Nations General Assembly to seek an advisory ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding Israel’s compliance with international law concerning humanitarian assistance to Palestinians under occupation. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced the initiative, emphasizing the urgent need for international action.
“The international community cannot accept that the UN, international humanitarian organizations, and states continue to face systematic obstacles when working in Palestine and delivering humanitarian assistance to Palestinians under occupation,” Støre stated. “This undermines the right of Palestinians to receive humanitarian aid and lifesaving assistance. We have a collective obligation to respond to this.”
The resolution, which Norway plans to submit to the General Assembly, aims to clarify Israel’s obligations as an occupying power to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery by international organizations, including the UN. Several countries, along with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), have expressed support for the initiative.
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide criticized the Israeli government’s recent policies, stating, “The Israeli government’s policy is making it increasingly difficult for Palestinians to access lifesaving assistance and basic services such as healthcare and education. The Knesset’s legislation, which in practice prevents UNRWA from operating in Palestine, will have severe consequences for millions of civilians already living in the most dire of circumstances.”
Eide further asserted that these actions undermine the stability of the entire Middle East. “Israel’s behavior contravenes international law and undermines efforts to establish a viable Palestinian state and the two-state solution,” he added.
The Norwegian initiative follows recent developments, including the Israeli parliament’s passage of a law on October 28 that restricts UNRWA’s operations in Palestine. Over the past year, numerous UN agency staff members have faced arbitrary and systematic obstacles while attempting to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance. Other organizations and states have also encountered significant difficulties in delivering aid to the Palestinian population.
Under international law, Israel is obligated to support the Palestinian population under occupation, a mandate reaffirmed by the ICJ on July 19, which stated, “Israel is obligated to administer the occupied territory in a manner that benefits the local population.”
“With this initiative, Norway aims to affirm that no country, including Israel, is exempt from its international legal obligations,” Eide emphasized. “We observe similar trends in other countries, where leaders are attempting to undermine international humanitarian law and the delivery of assistance in situations of crisis and conflict. This development must be stopped.”
