Norway-Indonesia Fights for Two-State Solution
Norway is optimistic that a two-state solution will soon be realized. Israel's security is guaranteed and a Palestinian state is realized
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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik explained bilateral relations between Indonesia and Norway in Jakarta, Monday (29/4/2024).
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Norway is optimistic that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Hamas group in the Gaza Strip will be realized in the not too distant future. Likewise with the two-state solution to end the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
According to Norway, the two-state solution would provide "benefits" for both Israel and Palestine. Israel will obtain security and a Palestinian state will be established. However, dialogue is necessary to achieve this. "For the long term, we are relatively optimistic that a ceasefire will soon be achieved. This is a momentum for the peace process and the two-state solution. However, there must still be dialogue. There is no other alternative. The only way to end the conflict is with the two-state solution," said Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, when met at the residence of Norwegian Ambassador Rut Kruger Giverin on Monday (April 29, 2024).
Also read: UNRWA, Palestine's Breath of Life, and the Decisive Steps of Western Countries
To reignite the peace process between Israel and Palestine, Kravik continued, there are currently ongoing talks between Norway and Saudi Arabia. Norway aims to continue efforts in realizing a two-state solution as planned in the Oslo Accords.
The conflict in Gaza has brought back the aspiration for a two-state solution, with more countries pushing for it, including Norway and Indonesia. Kravik is confident that the peace process will be achieved this time because short-term measures have been taken.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik explained bilateral relations between Indonesia and Norway in Jakarta, Monday (29/4/2024).
On the other hand, Kravik acknowledges that efforts to push for a ceasefire are not easy. In addition to being hindered by the veto power in the United Nations, there has been no significant progress in talks regarding the issue.
Nevertheless, the international community is urged not to stop advocating and collaborating with like-minded countries. He reminded that Hamas must still be included in ceasefire dialogue.
"At the moment there is a discussion between Hamas and Egypt, Qatar, and Norway to find a middle ground in achieving a ceasefire. It is difficult because Israel continues to attack Gaza. Hamas also refuses to release hostages as long as Israel continues to attack," Kravik said.
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On a separate occasion, Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, stressed that the two-state solution must remain the guide. Otherwise, Palestine's independence will never be achieved.
Cooperation
Retno hopes that Norway can invite the international community, especially developed countries, to continue supporting Palestine's full membership in the United Nations. Like Indonesia, Norway has been committed from the beginning to fight for Palestinian independence.
"Indonesia is ready to continue collaborating with Norway for Palestine. Norway is fighting in their own way and so are we. The important thing is that we must keep collaborating," said Retno, who is scheduled to meet Kravik on Tuesday (30/4/2024) morning at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Jakarta.
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An activist gave a speech during a protest at the Parkville campus of the University of Melbourne, Australia, on Monday (29/4/2024), calling for the cessation of cooperation with several companies that supply weapons to Israel.
Retno also hopes that Norway will continue to fight for the smooth distribution of humanitarian aid to Gaza through land routes. As an alternative, the distribution of humanitarian aid through sea routes is currently being tried.
All means are being attempted as the amount of aid received is still very minimal. Retno appreciates Norway's consistent attitude in helping the Palestinian people and not stopping its assistance through the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA).
Also read: Four US State Department Bureaus Say Israel Violates Human Rights
Norway, which leads the donor group for Palestine (AHLC), is urging donors to continue their assistance to UNRWA. Without funding from UNRWA, the people of Gaza are at risk.
This call came on Tuesday, or a day after an independent review group stated that Israel had not provided evidence to support allegations that UNRWA employed 400 terrorists. However, even though there is no evidence yet, the independent review group found some "issues related to neutrality".
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Hundreds of students chanted slogans demanding the liberation of Palestine during a protest on the Parkville campus of the University of Melbourne, Australia, on Monday (29/4/2024), to demand an end to the university's cooperation with several companies that supply weapons to Israel.
Internal investigators from the United Nations are investigating Israel's allegations that 12 UNRWA staff members participated in the attack carried out by Hamas on October 7th. This attack sparked the Israel-Hamas war. As a result, many donor countries have suspended or stopped funding of around 450 million US dollars.
Although 10 countries have ended their suspension, the US, UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, and Lithuania are still delaying their funding for UNRWA.
Also read: Hamas-Fatah Meet in China, Palestinian Unity Government Has More Chances of Forming
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said it is unfair to 30,000 UNRWA employees and Palestinian refugees. Just because of a few employees, everyone suffers. "I am very pleased that countries such as Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Estonia, Japan, and Sweden have revoked their decision and continued funding for UNRWA. I hope other countries will soon follow suit," said Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.
Tax revenue
In an interview with Kravik, it was stated that Norway agreed to help facilitate the transfer of tax revenue held by Israel to the Palestinian Authority. This framework aims to provide important funding for the Palestinian Authority, which is in need of money.
Based on a temporary peace agreement in the 1990s, the Israeli Finance Ministry collected tax revenues on behalf of the Palestinian Authority and made monthly transfers to Ramallah. However, there was a dispute over the payments following the October 7 attack.
The Israeli Cabinet refused to transfer funds used by Ramallah to pay for services and employees in Gaza. The reason being that the money might end up in the hands of Hamas. In protest, the Palestinian Authority refused to accept any tax revenues that mostly consist of the Palestinian Authority's annual budget.
Last month, the Israeli cabinet approved a framework where some funds from Gaza will be transferred to Norway. Norway will then hold the funds until Israel signs the disbursement of the funds to the Palestinian Authority. (REUTERS/AFP)
