Statement by Foreign Minister Eide: Israel must immediately end its unlawful occupation of Palestine

News story | Date: 18/09/2025 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs

One year ago today, the UN General Assembly decided that Israel must end its occupation of Palestine no later than 18 September 2025. Norway and 123 other countries voted in favour of the resolution. The decision was based on the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July 2024, which concluded that Israel's occupation of Palestine is unlawful and must cease. The ICJ is the world's highest court. All UN member states are parties to the ICJ.

Today, 18 September 2025, we see that the situation in Palestine is worse than ever. The government is being economically strangled. Violence is escalating. New illegal settlements are displacing Palestinians from their land and livelihoods.

In addition to the deteriorating situation in the West Bank, the war in Gaza is more intense than at any point since it began nearly two years ago. Israel shows no intention of ending the occupation, as required by the UN resolution and the ICJ.

We continue to work for a political process towards a two-state solution. In May last year, Norway recognised Palestine as a state, together with Spain, Ireland and Slovenia. That recognition marked the starting point for strengthened international momentum for the two-state solution and a series of further announced recognitions. Norway, together with Saudi Arabia and the EU, leads the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, in which more than 100 countries now take part. Throughout the past year, the Alliance has worked to identify measures that will make the Palestinian state a reality.

It is critically important to strengthen the Palestinian government and institutions, at a time when Israeli actions are making it increasingly difficult to operate. The Palestinian government is facing its most severe financial situation ever. Without revenues, the Palestinians cannot run hospitals, schools, the judiciary and the police. Norway is a strong and leading supporter in the efforts to strengthen the Palestinian government and institutions. We must avoid developments that would make a future political solution impossible.

Next week, the UN General Assembly will convene in New York. The conflict between Israel and Palestine, and the urgent need to end the war in Gaza, will be among the key topics on the agenda. Norway, together with Saudi Arabia and the EU, will host a meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, and will also chair the meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) for Palestine. Prime Minister Støre will participate in a summit hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, where several leading Western countries are expected to announce their recognition of Palestine as a state. An increasing number of countries are realising that Israel can no longer hold a veto over the fate of a people and a territory it occupies unlawfully.

We will not abandon the goal of a political process towards a two-state solution. Norway therefore reiterates its demand that Israel immediately ends its unlawful occupation of Palestine.