oPt: Norway increases support to Palestine (24 September 2026)
Countries: occupied Palestinian territory, Norway Source: Government of Norway ‘The need for international support to Palestine is greater than ever. We are therefore providing NOK 125 million (appr. USD 13.2 million) to Palestine through UN and World Bank channels, including budget support to the Palestinian public sector,‘ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. The population of Gaza continues to live with the consequences of the war. Access to food, clean water, electricity, and healthcare remains severely limited, and many families are struggling daily to meet their most basic needs. Reconstruction efforts are being hampered by extensive destruction, a lack of resources and continued uncertainty about future developments. ‘Norway is among the leading advocates for getting early recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza under way. Progress is too slow. There is an urgent need to implement the 20-point peace plan adopted by the UN Security Council last year. More humanitarian assistance must be allowed in. Reconstruction must begin. Palestinian ownership is a key prerequisite,‘ said Mr Eide. In 2026, Norway is providing around NOK 1 billion in assistance to Palestine. Norway’s increased support comes in the same week that the Minister of Foreign Affairs is chairing a meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), the international donor group for Palestine, in New York. On the same day, a meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution will also take place. This international initiative is led by Norway, Saudi Arabia and the EU and seeks to promote lasting peace and realise a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. The extremely serious situation in the West Bank will also be discussed during the meetings in New York. Settlements and serious abuses committed by violent settlers are making the situation in the West Bank increasingly untenable. ‘The illegality of the settlements has been established repeatedly by the UN Security Council and in advisory opinions issued by the International Court of Justice in The Hague. The settlements undermine the foundations of the Palestinian state and a two-state solution,‘ said Mr Eide. ‘We are seeing a worrying increase in violence, while settlement expansion and restrictions on freedom of movement are making everyday life increasingly difficult for Palestinians. This development contributes to greater insecurity and undermines the prospects for a future political solution,‘ said Mr Eide. The United Nations is also hosting the meeting of the AHLC, which brings together ministers and other high-level representatives from key donor countries and international organisations. Facts about the AHLC: The AHLC is the donor group for Palestine and the leading international forum for political dialogue and coordination of support for Palestinian state-building and economic development. The AHLC was established following the signing of the Oslo Accords by Israel and the PLO. Since then, it has served as a joint forum for the parties and the international community to support the development of Palestinian state institutions. Through this support, Palestine has developed institutions including an independent judiciary, a Palestinian central bank, a police service and a public administration capable of delivering services to the Palestinian population. The EU and the United States are co-sponsors of the AHLC.
ReliefWeb•Government of Norway4h ago
