Norway issues formal advice against trade with Israeli settlements

Norway has issued formal advice against any trade or business activities with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Norwegian foreign minister said the new advice was being issued against the backdrop of escalating settlement expansion, as well as "increased settlement violence against the Palestinians."

"For many years, Norway has been clear that the settlement policy in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is in violation of international law, including humanitarian law and human rights, and undermines the possibility of a future Palestinian state and a peaceful solution to the conflict," said Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.

"Norwegian industry has requested guidance from the Norwegian authorities - with this clarification, we make it clear that Norwegian businesses should be aware that, through economic or financial activity in the Israeli settlements that violate international law, they risk contributing to violations of international humanitarian law or human rights."

Read more: Norway issues formal advice against trade with Israeli settlements