Norway: Statement at the High-level Conference on the Two-State Solution

Statement by the Prime Minister of Norway,

Jonas Gahr Støre

High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution

22 September – General Assembly Hall

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Let me first thank President Emmanuel Macron and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman for bringing us together here in New York.

I would also have liked to salute the President of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas. He should have been here today.

32 years ago the first Oslo Accords were signed, forever creating an association between my country’s capital and a vision for peace in the Middle East.

Ever since we have worked to one end: peace, security and dignity for the Palestinians and Israelis, living sideby-side in two sovereign states enjoying the rights and obligations that follow from international law.

I have followed this closely, in my role as Prime Minister and before that as Foreign Minister and as SecretaryGeneral of the Norwegian Red Cross.

Today’s Conference marks a historical high-point in international support for and recognition of the State of Palestine.

At the same time, the situation on the ground is perhaps the furthest we have been from its realisation in decades:

• The situation in Gaza is catastrophic.
• The governance structures created by the Oslo Accords are driven to the verge of collapse.
• And the encroachment on Palestinian territory continues.

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The two-state solution is the only credible path to peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

An occupying power cannot have a veto over what happens in a territory it is unlawfully occupying. The Palestinian people have the right to self-determination.

We therefore welcome the recognitions announced this week and over the last year.

It sends an important signal – underlining the urgent need to:

• stop the violence,
• improve access to humanitarian assistance,
• release the hostages,
• and pave the way for a lasting solution.

Only last week, this Assembly approved a roadmap of concrete actions to this end.

Friends,

There will be no State of Palestine – or a body to govern Gaza the day after – without functioning Palestinian authorities.

Preserving and reforming the institutions that we – together – have invested in and helped build over the last three decades is critical.

It is critical for the well-being of the Palestinian population in this desperate hour.

And it is critical for peace and security. The alternative is chaos – or worse.

Norway will continue our support to the Palestinian Government, including through emergency funds we are mobilizing with other donors..

And we continue to call on Israel to release the tax revenues owed to Palestine.

These revenues are desperately needed to fund schools, hospitals and the police.

Friends,

This is a time to stand up and be counted.

• As defenders of human dignity and human rights.
• As defenders of a world with laws and rules.
• As defenders of peaceful solutions.

For 80 years, the UN has been a family of nations.

The State of Palestine belongs to our family.

Thank you.