Israel announced on Thursday that it will begin taking punitive measures against Norway, following its opinion before the International Criminal Court that the Oslo Accords do not affect its jurisdiction to consider crimes committed against the Palestinian people, and that the court can issue arrest warrants for both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Galant.
These measures also relate to Norway's recognition of the State of Palestine.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that Israel will not allow eight Norwegian diplomats at the Norwegian embassy in Tel Aviv to continue their work as representatives of Norway to the Palestinian Authority, as the work of these diplomats is limited only to diplomatic communication with the Palestinian Authority.
Israel announced on Wednesday that it had cancelled the custodial account agreement with Norway, which stipulates that the Palestinian Authority's funds are transferred to an escrow account in Norway instead of being confiscated from Israel.
The Norwegian Foreign Ministry commented on Thursday that Israel had notified it that it would no longer facilitate the work of Norwegian diplomats in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Norwegian Foreign Ministry added that this was an "excessive action" by the Israeli government.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said in a statement that Norway is now considering its response to Israel's position.
"This is an exaggerated action that primarily affects our ability to assist the Palestinian population. Today's decision will have consequences for our relationship with the Netanyahu government," he added. "We are considering the measures that Norway will take to respond to the situation created by the Netanyahu government."
The Norwegian Foreign Minister considered Israel's decision to revoke the diplomatic status of the Norwegian embassy staff responsible for relations with the Palestinian Authority an "extreme action" that will have "consequences."
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