Norway Proposes 3-Year Jail Terms for Trade With West Bank Settlements

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 16

Norway has opened consultation on a bill that would criminalize knowingly importing from, exporting to, investing in or providing certain services to Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Sept. 19 is the deadline for responses, and the measure is not yet law; intentional breaches could bring fines or up to three years in prison, while negligent violations could mean up to six months.
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide says the proposal is meant to stop Norwegian citizens and companies from supporting settlements Norway calls illegal under international law and harmful to a two-state solution.
Israel and pro-Israel critics say the exemptions could allow comparable business with Palestinians while criminalizing it with Jewish residents, calling the proposal discriminatory and damaging to bilateral relations.
Norway recognized a Palestinian state in 2024 and has become one of Israel's sharper European critics since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks.