Israel’s Gaza ‘violations’ pose global threat, Norway says

Norway’s International Development Minister, Åsmund Aukrust, on Saturday, May 31, 2025, issued a strong warning about Israel’s conduct in Gaza, stating that its violations of international human rights law pose a global threat.

According to The Guardian, Aukrust says Israel’s conduct in Gaza is setting a dangerous precedent for violations of international human rights law.

He emphasized that Israel’s ongoing actions are worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Aukrust said they are also undermining long-standing international legal norms, thereby increasing the risk of conflicts worldwide.

Norway has historically played a significant diplomatic role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

This it did, most notably, by facilitating the Oslo Peace Accords in 1993, took a further step last year by officially recognizing the Palestinian state, joining a small group of European countries in doing so.

Aukrust expressed deep concern over the erosion of respect for international law in the context of the Gaza conflict.

“For the last one and a half years we have seen very low respect for international law in the war in Gaza, and in recent months it is worse than ever before,” he said.

He stressed that Norway finds it essential to vocally protest and condemn these clear violations of international legal standards.

He warned that Israel’s current actions are contributing to a broader shift that could have serious consequences in other conflict zones around the world.

Specifically, he highlighted practices such as:

• the weaponization of food,
• the obstruction of humanitarian access, and,
• the denial of entry to United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations.

Aukrust said these emerging norms are deeply troubling, as they could become accepted in future conflicts if left unchallenged.

One particular concern Aukrust raised was the establishment of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial initiative backed by Israel and the United States.

The GHF began distributing aid in Gaza recently but has already drawn criticism.

During one such distribution, Israeli forces reportedly fired “warning shots,” and Gaza health officials claimed that at least one civilian was killed and 48 others injured during the chaos.

Aukrust warned that GHF represented an attempt to militarize humanitarian aid, which further undermines the neutrality and effectiveness of relief efforts.

A UN-backed assessment released earlier in the month reported that the entire population of the Gaza Strip, around 2.1 million people, was at critical risk of famine.

According to it, about 500,000 individuals are facing conditions classified as catastrophic.

Aukrust said this dire situation further underscores the dangerous shift in international norms.

“We are afraid and very concerned that this might be a new standard in international law, and this will make the world a lot more dangerous to all of us,” he stated.

When asked whether Israel’s actions in Gaza could be considered genocide, Aukrust declined to make a definitive judgment.

He asserted that such determinations should be made by the International Court of Justice.

“Genocide is the worst crime a country can commit, and the worst crime that politicians can commit, and this should not be polarised,” he said, emphasizing the importance of preserving the legal process over political rhetoric.

Despite the worsening situation, Aukrust emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue.

He reiterated Norway’s commitment to long-term engagement in Gaza’s recovery and peacebuilding process.

“We have no limitation on who we are talking to,” he said, adding that open communication with all relevant parties, including Hamas and Israel, is essential.

“Dialogue is the most important word when it comes to peacemaking.”

In terms of economic measures, the Norwegian oil fund, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, has already blacklisted 11 companies over their involvement in the Israeli occupation.

However, the Norwegian parliament is expected to reject upcoming proposals.

This is supposedly to further restrict the fund’s investments in companies operating in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Aukrust clarified that while politicians set the ethical guidelines for the fund, the final investment decisions are made independently by the bank.

He noted that the existing rules clearly prohibit investments that support violations of international law.

Norway’s recent recognition of Palestine, announced in May 2024, was described by Aukrust as an effort to offer hope and affirm Norway’s commitment to a just resolution.

He concluded by encouraging continued public pressure and civic engagement across Europe.

“As long as the war is going on, from the Norwegian government side we will all the time look into what more can we do.

“What new initiative can we take.

“How can we send an even clearer message to those who are responsible for this,” he said.

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