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Norway’s formal recognition of Palestine as a state enters into force May 28
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, says the
Norwegian Government has decided that Norway will recognise Palestine as a state.
A statement by the government says Norway’s formal recognition of Palestine as a state will enter into force on Tuesday 28 May 2024.
“In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: Two states, living side by side, in peace and security,” the Prime Minister said.
Norway’s long-term engagement has supported and sought to advance the two-state solution. Recognition of Palestine as a state further highlights the long-held Norwegian position that a lasting solution to the conflict in the Middle East is only achieved through a two-state solution.
Two-state solution
The Palestinian people have a fundamental, independent right to self-determination. Both Israelis and Palestinians have a right to live in peace in their respective states. There will be no peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution. There can be no two-state solution without a Palestinian state. In other words, a Palestinian state is a prerequisite for achieving peace in the Middle East,’ said Prime Minister Støre.
The territorial demarcation between the state of Palestine and the state of Israel should be based on the pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states, and without prejudice to a final settlement on borders, including the use of land swaps.
‘Recognition of Palestine is a means of supporting the moderate forces which have been losing ground in this protracted and brutal conflict. It also sends a strong message to other countries to follow the example of Norway and a number of other European countries and recognise the state of Palestine. This could ultimately make it possible to resume the process towards achieving a two-state solution and give it renewed momentum,’ said Prime Minister Støre.
Recognition as the impetus for peace
Since the Oslo Accords of roughly 30 years ago, Norway and many other countries have pursued a strategy in which recognition would follow a peace agreement. This has not been successful.
‘In the absence of a peace process and a political solution to the conflict, developments have gone in the wrong direction. Neither the Palestinian nor the Israeli people can live their lives in security. That is why we need to think differently and act accordingly. We can no longer wait for the conflict to be resolved before we recognise the state of Palestine,’ said Mr Støre.
‘Palestine is caught in a downward spiral of economic instability and aid dependency, as well as lack of fundamental rights. Terrorism and violence from Hamas and other militant groups undermine the trust that is so essential to achieving lasting peace. Israel’s long-standing policy of establishment and expansion of illegal settlements diminishes the basis for a viable Palestinian state. A general sense of hopelessness has grown stronger among the Palestinians for every year that has passed,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.
Several reasons to recognise now
There are several reasons why this is the right time to recognise Palestine as a state.
‘The ongoing war in Gaza has made it abundantly clear that achieving peace and stability must be predicated on resolving the Palestinian question. The war is the lowest point in the prolonged Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The situation in the Middle East has not been this grave for many years,’ said Mr Støre.
The UN General Assembly recently adopted a resolution stating that Palestine is fully qualified for membership of the United Nations, with an overwhelming majority of 143 countries voting in favour.
Norway votes in support of granting Palestine full membership status in the UN
‘Efforts are underway to draw up a comprehensive Arab peace vision. A number of Arab countries are involved in this, and recognition of Palestine as a state is a key component. Norway is cooperating closely with Saudi Arabia and is taking active steps to mobilise European support for the Arab peace vision. Norway and Saudi Arabia recently hosted a high-level meeting of foreign ministers in Riyadh to discuss this initiative. In a few days, Norway will be chairing an international partner meeting about Palestine in Brussels, where the new Palestinian Prime Minister and Government will be presenting their reform plans. We are hoping to make some major progress there,’ said Mr Eide.
The Government is taking these steps as part of the follow-up to the decision taken by the Storting (Norwegian parliament) on 16 November 2023.
Norway’s expectations
In its role as chair of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), the international donor group for Palestine, Norway has been a strong advocate of the Palestinian state-building project. At the same time as it recognises Palestine as a state, Norway also has clear expectations that the new Palestinian Government will continue the effort to implement democratic reform, strengthen the judiciary and combat corruption.
‘Norway will continue to support the Palestinian state-building project. We must strengthen the Palestinian Authority under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammed Mustafa, and we must work for the Palestinian Authority to govern in Gaza following a ceasefire and for there to be one Palestinian government. The goal is to achieve a Palestinian state that is politically cohesive, and that derives from the Palestinian Authority,’ said Mr Eide.
International consensus
There is broad international consensus, in, among others, the US, the EU, China, and the Arab, African, Asian and Latin American countries, that a two-state solution is the only solution that will provide lasting peace and stability for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
Norway’s formal recognition of Palestine as a state will enter into force on Tuesday 28 May 2024. A number of other likeminded European countries will also formally recognise Palestine on that same date. These countries will be making their own announcements. A total of 143 countries have previously recognised the Palestinian state.
‘Recognition by various European countries is not, in itself, sufficient to ensure that a Palestinian state will be sustainable. By recognising a Palestinian state, we are supporting the Arab peace plan which has been further developed by key actors in the region in the wake of 7 October. Norway has taken a leading role in mobilising European support for the plan. Its main elements are an irreversible process towards the establishment of a Palestinian state, strengthening of the Palestinian Authority, credible security guarantees for Israel and demobilisation of Hamas and other armed groups and normalisation of relations between Israel and Arab countries. While none of these steps can solve the Israel-Palestine conflict on its own, the sum of them can lead to great advancements,’ said Mr Eide.
30 years after the Oslo Accords
Norway’s recognition of a Palestinian state is taking place just over 30 years after the signing of the first Oslo Accord in 1993. Since then, the Palestinians have taken important steps towards a two-state solution. In 2011, the World Bank concluded that Palestine had met the key criteria required to function as a state. National institutions to provide the population with crucial services have been established. Nonetheless, the war in Gaza and the ongoing expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank have made the situation in Palestine more difficult than it has been in decades.
‘Israelis and the Palestinians alike need security and hope for the future. What is most urgent at the moment is to achieve a ceasefire, ensuring that enough humanitarian aid reaches the people of Gaza, and obtaining the release of the hostages. In the longer term, we hope that the recognition of Palestine as a state will encourage the parties to restart peace talks with a goal of finding solutions to the outstanding final status issues. A Palestinian state will also enhance security for the Israelis,’ said Mr Eide.
It is Norway’s view that intensifying efforts to achieve a Palestinian state and a two-state solution will help to reinforce the moderate forces that are seeking a political solution on both sides.
Norway condemns terrorism
Both the Palestinian and Israeli authorities have been informed of the Norwegian Government’s decision to recognise Palestine as a state.
‘Norway intends to continue its close contact with the Israeli authorities. Norway was one of the first countries to recognise the state of Israel in 1949. Israel is in a vulnerable security situation, and Norway recognises Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself, within the framework of international law. We believe that the two-state solution is in Israel’s best interests. It will help to establish a more peaceful, safe and stable region,’ said Mr Støre.
Norway recognises Palestine as a state in line with international law and relevant resolutions by the UN Security Council. The territorial demarcation between the state of Palestine and the state of Israel should be based on the pre-1967 borders, i.e. the demarcation line as set out in the 1949 Armistice Agreements, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states and without prejudice to a final settlement on borders, including the use of land swaps.
Recognition of the state of Palestine is part of the follow-up to the 2023 decision in the Storting (Norwegian Parliament) that the Government may choose to recognise Palestine as a state at a time when the decision could be of value to the peace process and without any conditions relating to a final peace agreement.
The decision to recognise Palestine as a state is considered a matter of importance which, in accordance with Article 28 of the Constitution, requires approval by the King in Council of State. Following the adoption by Royal Decree on Friday 24 May, Palestine will be formally informed of the recognition by verbal note. Norway’s formal recognition of Palestine as a state will enter into force on Tuesday 28 May 2024.
The recognition of Palestine as a state means that Norway will consider Palestine to be an independent state with the rights and duties this entails. This includes, among other things, the expectation from Norway that all relations with Palestine will be founded on the fundamental rules of international law regarding independence, equality and peaceful coexistence.
Sea-Watch is putting a new rescue vessel into service: With the Aurora 2, the organization is responding to the repeated detentions of civilian rescue ships by the Italian authorities. Now, Sea-Watch will remain operational even when one of its ships is detained. While one ship is blocked in port, the other will be available to carry out rescue missions. The far-right government’s strategy of limiting rescue operations through arbitrary detentions has therefore failed.
Julia Winkler, spokesperson for the organization Sea-Watch:
“Italy is detaining rescue ships to stop people from being rescued. With the Aurora 2, we are making sure this strategy fails. If one of our vessels is detained, the other will be ready to save lives. By expanding our fleet, we are fighting back against the far-right Italian government’s efforts to obstruct civilian search and rescue at sea.”
In the Mediterranean, speed is a matter of life and death. Every distress case is a race against time. That is why Sea-Watch operates not only the large vessel Sea-Watch 5 but also a smaller, faster ship—the Aurora. The Aurora reaches top speeds of up to 25 knots, allowing it to quickly reach people in distress at sea. With the Aurora 2, the organization is now specifically expanding its operational capabilities.
The acquisition of the Aurora 2 is a direct response to the far-right Italian government’s policy of systematically detaining civilian rescue ships. Since 2023, the Meloni cabinet has detained civilian sea rescue ships in port more than forty times. As a result, the entire civilian fleet has lost more than 900 days of operational time. The Aurora has also been blocked five times already. Italian courts subsequently overturned the rulings on several occasions. However, by the time the respective court decisions were issued, the Aurora had lost a total of 113 days of operational time.
With the Aurora 2, Sea-Watch is specifically countering this strategy. If one of the ships is detained, the other can continue to set sail and rescue people in distress at sea. In this way, the organization ensures its independence from bureaucratic blockades and guarantees the continuation of its rescue operations.
The detentions of civil search and rescue vessels are politically motivated and cost lives. The Mediterranean is one of the deadliest borders in the world. More than 34,000 people have been reported dead or missing since 2014. The actual number is estimated to be significantly higher. With its new ship, the Aurora 2, Sea-Watch can continue to quickly rescue people from drowning — even if one of its ships is blocked by the far-right Italian government.
Sea-Watch is part of the Justice Fleet, an alliance whose members are committed to upholding human rights and international maritime law. Its members refuse to comply with instructions provided for in the so-called Piantedosi Decree that conflict with international law and human rights obligations and are primarily intended to hinder rescue operations. As a result, their vessels are regularly detained by the Italian authorities. In recent months, Italian courts have overturned detention orders imposed on several Justice Fleet vessels in summary proceedings. Rulings on the overall legality of the Decree are still pending.
In response to the attack on the Sea-Watch 5 on Monday, 11 May 2026, the European Commission stated at its press conference on Wednesday, 12 May 2026, that EU cooperation with Libyan actors “prevented further violence.” Sea-Watch condemns this portrayal as a grotesque distortion of reality. Without the political, financial, and operational support of the EU, the so-called Libyan coast guard would neither possess boats nor the necessary infrastructure to operate at sea.
Julia Winkler, spokesperson for Sea-Watch:
“The EU has been working closely with actors in Libya for years, who are accused of committing the most serious crimes against people on the move, equipping them and enabling their operations at sea. Against this background, claiming that this very cooperation prevents violence is an absurd distortion of reality and is nothing short of cynical.”
A Commission spokesperson responded to questions regarding the violent attack on the Sea-Watch 5 on Monday, 11 May 2026, stating that it cannot be determined how many further attacks may have been prevented precisely due to consistent engagement (from 4:39). After the crew had rescued people in distress in international waters, Libyan militias opened fire and threatened to forcibly return the ship and those on board to Libya.
The attackers identified themselves as so-called Libyan Coast Guard. During the attack, the vessel involved was accompanied by the Murzuq 662 – a Bigliani-class ship handed over by Italy in June 2023 to Libyan actors as part of the EU–Libya cooperation framework SIBMMIL. Later the same day, the Sea-Watch 5 was also followed by the Ras Jadir 648, another vessel transferred by Italy to Libyan actors in May 2017.
Despite mayday calls being issued, neither Germany nor Italy, nor the EU naval mission EUNAVFOR MED IRINI provided assistance at sea on the day of the attack. On the contrary, on the same day the EU emphasised its intentions to expand cooperation and funding for Libyan actors in eastern Libya. These groups have been documented for years as responsible for torture, sexual violence, and kidnappings of people on the move. Without European support, such structures would not be operational in their current form.
For years, Sea-Watch and international organisations, including the United Nations, have documented serious human rights violations by Libyan militias and coast guard units with which they are closely linked. The political and legal responsibility of European actors is subject to ongoing international legal scrutiny. In 2022, the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights filed a criminal complaint against senior representatives of the EU and its Member States for alleged crimes against humanity in connection with the EU–Libya cooperation.
SOS MEDITERRANEE has welcomed the recent decision of the Court of Chieti in Italy, which fully annuls the 20-day administrative detention imposed on the Ocean Viking in November 2023, together with the related fine and all associated sanctioning measures.
On 15 November 2023, Italian authorities detained the Ocean Viking in Ortona for 20 days and imposed a financial penalty under Decree Law No. 1/2023, known as the “Piantedosi Decree”. The case relates to a rescue operation conducted on 11 November 2023 in the Libyan Search and Rescue Region, during which our rescue ship rescued 34 people from a boat in distress after repeated unsuccessful attempts to obtain effective coordination from the Libyan maritime authorities.
In its first instance decision, the Court clearly confirmed that the Ocean Viking’s rescue operation was lawful, and that the captain “was faced with the necessity to intervene without delay” to protect human life. It also underscored the absence of effective coordination by the Libyan authorities, recognizing that the Ocean Viking was “the only vessel to intervene” to fulfill the duty to rescue at sea.
The judgment also reaffirmed that international maritime obligations under the UNCLOS, SOLAS and SAR Conventions prevail when human lives are at risk, and that sanctions cannot be imposed where state coordination is absent or inadequate. The decision recalls the Italian Constitutional Court’s ruling n°101/2025, which confirmed that national laws on sea rescue must comply with international law. In other words, no national law can be in contrast with the duty of saving lives at sea.
“This ruling confirms what we have consistently stated since November 2023: the Ocean Viking acted in full compliance with international maritime law and in the clear fulfilment of its maritime obligations,” said Soazic Dupuy, Director of Operations at SOS MEDITERRANEE. “Humanitarian rescue organisations must never be penalised for doing what authorities fail to do: ensuring timely and effective rescue for people in distress.” she concludes.
2026 is already among the deadliest years of the last decade. People continue to go missing at sea while the Italian government doubles down on efforts to prevent Search and Rescue NGOs from operating. This week, the Senate began discussing a new migration package that includes Provisions aimed at preventing Search and Rescue NGOs from entering Italian waters, yet another attempt to obstruct lifesaving operations.
On Saturday 16th, the captain of the Sea-Watch 5 was accused of facilitating irregular migration after completing a rescue operation following which the Libyan Coast Guard opened fire.
Despite repeated court rulings confirming the legality of civil rescue operations, Search and Rescue NGOs continue to face legal and administrative harassment for saving lives at sea. People in distress cannot wait for justice while lifesaving assistance is obstructed for political purposes.
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