Support to the Palestinians – Norway’s view – Foreign Ministry of Norway press release/Non-UN document

Press release

No.: 48/06
Date: 20.04.06

Support to the Palestinians – Norway's views

1. The Palestinian elections in January provided the basis for the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority which has now been formed. The elections were carried out in accordance with established democratic practice.

2. Norway supports the aim of a two-state solution, where a viable Palestinian state and Israel are able to live side by side in peace within secure and recognised borders. Norway has provided substantial support to the Palestinian people and the Palestinian Authority for many years as a means of promoting such a solution. We hope that this support can be continued.

3. Norway endorses the broadly accepted international view that the newly elected Palestinian Authority must now take steps to comply with the demands put forward by the Quartet (UN, USA, EU and Russia) to renounce violence, recognise the state of Israel and accept previously concluded agreements. It has been indicated that future development cooperation will be contingent on these conditions being fulfilled. The Quartet’s demands have the support of Arab countries, and the Palestinians’ elected president, Mahmoud Abbas, also supports these views.

4. We also expect Israel to respect previously concluded agreements, key UN resolutions and demands from the international community to stop annexing Palestinian land, cease illegal settlement activities and stop work on the separation wall, which is in violation of international law. These demands have also been put forward by the Quartet. The Government will continue to discuss these demands with the Israeli authorities. In the current critical situation, it is of the utmost importance that Israel shows restraint and complies with these demands.

5. In March the Norwegian Government disbursed USD 10 million directly to the Palestinian Authority. This is equivalent to approximately 70 per cent of the money disbursed directly in 2005 as a whole. As there are no immediate plans to transfer additional Norwegian funds directly to the Palestinian Authority, it is not the case that planned transfers have been stopped. A decision concerning specific payments will be made when necessary. The Government has indicated that it will follow the situation closely to see what policy the new government will pursue.

6. At the same time we have indicated that, provided certain conditions are met, Norway is prepared to provide direct support to the newly elected Palestinian Authority. Last year such support amounted to about one quarter of the total support to the Palestinians, i.e. approximately USD 15 million. It is very important that a democratically elected government succeeds in the Palestinian territory, not only for the Palestinian people but also for stability in the region. Its success is also contingent on its accepting the international community’s basic views.

7. The Government is concerned about the situation in the Palestinian territory. There is a risk of great human suffering and economic decline, which would will further worsen the Palestinians’ living conditions. The Government’s aim is that our bilateral development cooperation programme should as far possible as be continued unchanged. The Government will continuously assess how this aim can be achieved and whether there are alternative channels for providing support to the Palestinian people. This will be one of the topics on the agenda during President Abbas’ visit to Norway on 26 and 27 April.

8. The Government will continue and strengthen Norwegian support to the Palestinian people through the UN, NGOs and humanitarian organisations. Last year this support accounted for approximately three quarters of total Norwegian support. The Government will discuss these issues with the humanitarian organisations on an ongoing basis with a view to increasing activity in the Palestinian territory//territories. It will also make preparations for dealing with a deteriorating humanitarian situation.

9. As chair of the donor group AHLC, the Government will keep in regular contact with the parties and the major donor countries and will seek to facilitate joint approaches. A Hamas-led government cannot be expected to comply with all the demands all at once, but we should be able to expect clear progress. Norway’s policy will be to promote dialogue and confidence-building measures with a view to fostering mutual recognition and direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

10. Norway will seek to engage in dialogue with the newly elected Palestinian Authority. The form and level of this dialogue will be assessed on an ongoing basis.