‘UNRWA must survive’ – Norway seeks advice from the International Court of Justice on Israel’s obligations

By Palestine Chronicle staff

Norway stated that ‘Israel is obliged under international law to support the Palestinian population under occupation.’

Norway announced on Tuesday its intention to submit a United Nations General Assembly resolution requesting the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to issue an advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations as an occupying power to comply with international law life and humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. said a statement from the Norwegian government.

“Under international law, Israel is obliged to support the Palestinian population under occupation,” the statement stressed.

According to the statement, this was reaffirmed on July 19 by the International Court of Justice, where the court ruled that “Israel is obliged to administer the occupied territory in a manner that benefits the local population.”

‘Collective Punishment’ – Israel’s Ban on UNRWA Condemned

The Norwegian move, which is primarily aimed at obliging Israel to comply with international law by allowing humanitarian aid from several countries and international organizations, including the UN, came in response to Monday’s Israeli ban on the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide announced his country’s move on his page on X.

“Norway is initiating a UN resolution asking the International Court of Justice to clarify Israel’s legal obligations to ensure aid reaches the Palestinians,” he stated.

“With this initiative, Norway wants to establish that no country can go beyond its obligations under international law,” Eide also said, adding: “We see similar trends in other countries – that leaders are trying to undermine humanitarian law and block aid in situations of crises and conflicts. We must stop this development.”

The Foreign Minister warned that the ban on UNRWA would make the entire Middle East even more unstable.

“UNRWA must survive,” he wrote on X, emphasizing that “no country is above international law.”

Norway’s top diplomat said the Israeli ban is a violation of international law by Tel Aviv and undermines the two-state solution that would see the creation of a viable Palestinian state.

Norway will further request the ICJ to investigate other obstacles faced by UN agencies in their work in the Gaza Strip during the year-long genocide, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Knesset passes bill banning UNRWA activities – UPDATED

For his part, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said in a statement that “the international community cannot accept that the UN, international humanitarian organizations and states face systematic obstacles to working in Palestine and providing humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians under occupation.” . ”

“This undermines the Palestinians’ right to humanitarian assistance and life-saving assistance. We have a collective obligation to respond to this,” he added.

“The Knesset’s decision, which in practice makes it impossible for UNRWA to work in Palestine, is a decision that will have consequences for Palestinian citizens living in dire need,” he stressed.

Store pointed out that the move could have “dramatic consequences for millions of citizens.”

According to the statement, several countries and UN organizations, including UNRWA, have extended their support to the Norwegian action.

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‘Serious precedent’

Israel’s ban on UNRWA in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories has been met with worldwide condemnation.

In a joint statement, the governments of Ireland, Norway, Slovenia and Spain condemned the legislation.

“UNRWA has a mandate from the United Nations General Assembly. The Agency’s work is essential and irreplaceable for millions of Palestinian refugees in the region, and especially in the current context in Gaza,” the statement said.

“The legislation approved by the Knesset sets a very serious precedent for the work of the United Nations and for all organizations of the multilateral system,” it added.

Norway also pledged in June to increase its funding of UNRWA, saying the agency was “the backbone” of the humanitarian response in the besieged Gaza Strip.

$80 million shortfall – UNRWA predicts grim funding opportunities

“The war, Israel’s accusations, continued attacks on the organization and withholding of funds by major donors have left UNRWA in an extremely difficult financial situation,” said International Development Minister Anne Bethe Kristiansen Tvinnereim.

The new funding was announced on June 17 during UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini’s visit to Norway.

The NOK 100 million (about US$10 million) to UNRWA is in addition to the NOK 275 million that Norway contributed earlier this year.

It also joined dozens of countries in filing files with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants against Israeli leaders.

The genocide continues

Ignoring a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire, Israel faces international condemnation amid its ongoing brutal offensive on Gaza.

Israel is currently on trial at the International Court of Justice for genocide against the Palestinians and has been waging a devastating war against Gaza since October 7.

According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, 43,020 Palestinians have been killed and 101,110 injured in Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza that began on October 7, 2023.

In addition, at least 11,000 people are missing, presumed dead under the rubble of their homes across the Strip.

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Israel says 1,200 soldiers and civilians were killed during the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation on October 7. Israeli media published reports suggesting that many Israelis had been killed by “friendly fire” that day.

Palestinian and international organizations say the majority of the dead and injured are women and children.

The Israeli war has resulted in acute famine, especially in northern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of many Palestinians, especially children.

Israeli aggression has also resulted in the forced displacement of nearly two million people from across the Gaza Strip, with the vast majority of those displaced forced into the densely populated southern city of Rafah, near the border with Egypt – in what is Palestine’s largest city become. mass exodus since the Nakba of 1948.

Later in the war, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians began moving from the south to central Gaza in an ongoing search for safety.

(The Palestine Chronicle)