Norway to Seek ICJ Advisory Opinion on Israel
Norway plans to ask the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for an advisory opinion. This request follows Israel’s decision to stop cooperating with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Recently, the Israeli Knesset passed a law banning UNRWA from operating in Israel. They cited claims that some staff were involved in Hamas attacks. Although a UN investigation led to the dismissal of staff members, the new law could seriously obstruct humanitarian aid to Gaza, where UNRWA plays a critical role.
The law will take effect in three months and may have support from the incoming Trump administration. Norway’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, is working at the UN to draft a resolution. This resolution aims to call for the ICJ’s advisory opinion to protect UNRWA’s operations. It has support from UNRWA and many Arab states, highlighting the importance of aid efforts in Gaza.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke out against the barriers facing humanitarian organizations in Palestine. He emphasized the need for legal action. He also stated that the international community should insist that Israel allow humanitarian aid to flow freely, as required by international law.
This request would bring the ongoing legal issues between Israel and international courts into a new context. The ICJ has already demanded that Israel ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza. Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide warned that the Knesset’s law could harm civilians and destabilize the wider Middle East.
UNRWA’s Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, described the agency’s current situation as one of the most challenging ever. He highlighted that there are no alternatives to UNRWA’s services in Gaza. He urged member states to act quickly to stop the bill from being implemented.
This action has a strong legal basis, rooted in previous rulings that recognize the inviolability of UN premises under Article 105 of the UN Charter. Norway’s legal advisors believe the UN General Assembly should urgently ask the ICJ for advice on Israel’s treatment of UNRWA. They stress the need to protect the agency’s crucial role in Gaza.
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