The Norwegian Parliament majority supports a ban on trade with companies that contribute to Israel’s occupation – Defend International Law calls for a broader, principled approach.
On Tuesday, June 17, it was confirmed that the Socialist Left Party (SV), through budget negotiations with the Labour Party and the Centre Party, has secured a majority in the Storting (Norwegian Parliament) for a proposal to prohibit trade and business activity with «companies that contribute to maintaining Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories.»
“This is an important victory for everyone who has worked to ensure that Norway better upholds its international obligations under international law,” says Vjosa Maxhuni, chair of Defend International Law, and adds:
“Violations of international law are not only committed with weapons. We know that Norwegian investments, trade, and other economic activities help sustain illegal occupations and immense human suffering. That’s why we need a clear ban on exactly this.”
According to the proposal, the Storting will ask the government to assess and introduce a ban on trade and other business activity with companies that contribute to maintaining Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories.
In October 2024, Defend International Law presented a concrete draft law to ban imports, exports, and investments linked to violations of international law through occupation. The proposal received broad support from 29 Norwegian organizations, including Norwegian People’s Aid (Norsk Folkehjelp) and Norways largest union, Fagforbundet.
“There is already a specific legislative proposal with broad backing that the government can use as a basis. It has already been submitted to Norwegian authorities. This can simplify the preparatory work and help ensure that the ban is implemented more quickly,” says Kjell Brygfjeld, board member of Defend International Law and one of the key legal experts behind the proposal.
Defend International Law’s draft law differs from the budget partners’ proposal on one key point: the ban targets all illegal occupations, not just the Israeli one.
“Although the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories is the most urgent, we must not forget other internationally unlawful occupations around the world, such as in Western Sahara and parts of Ukraine,” says Brygfjeld, and adds:
“We have a legal obligation under international law not to contribute to any of these occupations. A general ban would therefore align Norwegian policy more closely with our international commitments.”
The most important thing now is to follow up these first steps with concrete action and ensure the ban is implemented without unnecessary delay.
“We support that work, and we’re ready to contribute,” says Maxhuni.
Read Defend International Law’s legislative proposal here.
For further comments, contact:
- Vjosa Maxhuni, mobile +47 952 84 186, or
- Kjell Brygfjeld, mobile +47 908 73 793
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