The Norwegian government announced plans to ban all trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, releasing a draft bill for consultation on Friday.

Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide stated: "The Israeli settlements in Palestine are in breach of international law. They contribute to displacement, extreme violence and a situation that makes a peaceful solution impossible. We intend to prohibit trade with the unlawful settlements."

The proposed ban covers goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. In real estate, it would prohibit purchasing property in settlements, providing services related to construction, renovation, purchase or sale of property in these areas, and acquiring commercial enterprises whose headquarters and production facilities are located in settlements.

Eide added: "The settlements undermine the basis for a Palestinian state. Norwegian citizens and Norwegian companies must not contribute to maintaining this development. With this legislative proposal, the government takes a clear stance and puts forward rules that set firm limits for Norwegian trade and business activities."

Norway, not an EU member, recognized the state of Palestine in 2024. Israel responded by withdrawing its ambassador from Oslo and summoning Norway's ambassador to Tel Aviv. Last week, Norway joined the UK, Australia, Canada, France, and New Zealand in imposing coordinated sanctions targeting networks involved in settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

The bill is now under a three-month consultation period. UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese called it "a small step, the smallest step, but it's a beginning," while criticizing Norway's $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund for continuing to invest in Israeli companies.

Source: www.aljazeera.com