“The serious situation in Palestine has in recent weeks been overshadowed by the war in the Middle East. It is important that the international community maintains its efforts in support of the two-state solution and Palestine, and I am pleased that so many participated in the AHLC meeting in Brussels,” said Eide.

“With the US 20-point plan and UN Security Council resolution 2803 as a backdrop, the meeting helped to bring the various actors closer together. There was broad agreement on the importance of effective coordination of the international community’s humanitarian efforts and reconstruction projects in Gaza," said the foreign minister.

The meeting focused on the critical economic situation of the Palestinian government, reconstruction in Gaza and the path towards a lasting solution to the Israel–Palestine conflict. Participants also discussed what needs to be done to avoid a collapse of Palestinian institutions, ensure sufficient humanitarian support to Gaza and reverse the dramatic developments in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Norway will also support the peace plan and UN Security Council resolution 2803. It is important to underline that this concerns the whole of Palestine.

Without functioning public institutions, there is a risk of a complete collapse in the delivery of public services to the population. The Minister of Foreign Affairs urged all participants to increase their contributions to Palestine, pointing to Norway’s budget support of NOK 100 million.

Participants highlighted the need for continued donor support, coordinated action, the disarmament of Hamas, Palestinian reform measures and initiatives that can strengthen economic activity and institution-building. A meeting between Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and the High Representative of Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, immediately prior to the AHLC ministerial meeting provided important guidance for the coordination of international assistance to Gaza going forward. Ahead of the meeting, the World Bank, the UN and the EU also finalised their joint needs assessment for Gaza.

It is important that donor assistance is aligned with Palestinian priorities and respects the Palestinian government’s sovereignty over the whole of Palestine. At the same time, the temporary arrangements for Gaza established by the UN Security Council must be allowed to deliver on their mandate.

“The AHLC is the key forum for discussing the international community’s support to Palestine and how we can contribute to stability throughout Palestine. In this critical situation, the international community must remain committed to the goal of a negotiated two-state solution,” said Eide.

State Secretary Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik also participated in the meeting, together with Norway’s Special Representative for the Middle East, Torunn Viste.

The meeting brought together representatives from Palestine, the United States, the EU, the UN, the World Bank, the IMF and other countries in the region, donor countries and international actors. Representatives of the Board of Peace were invited to attend the meeting as guests.