The conflict between Israel and Palestinians - Joint policy statement by Norway and Spain

For more than a decade, the Governments of Norway and Spain have been involved in efforts to facilitate the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. It is a foreign policy priority for both countries to contribute to a viable two-state solution based on a negotiated agreement.

We are now deeply concerned about the current situation in the West Bank and Gaza. There is a risk of great human suffering and economic decline, which would further worsen the Palestinians’ living conditions. In this situation both governments have expressed their intention to maintain their assistance to the Palestinian people. Institutional decay would make it difficult for the Palestinian National Authority and providers of humanitarian assistance to operate properly. Internal differences in Palestinian society are on the rise and leading to increasing lawlessness in the territory. This situation also has implications for the stability of the whole region and calls for constructive initiatives.

We welcome President Abbas’ efforts to mobilise Palestinian support for resolving the conflict peacefully, through direct negotiations with Israel. His efforts to bring about national consensus for this purpose should gain broad international support. The Palestinian Government should take steps immediately towards complying with the demands put forward by the Quartet to renounce violence, recognise the state of Israel and accept previously concluded agreements. At the same time, we expect Israel to respect previously concluded agreements, key UN resolutions and demands from the international community to stop annexing Palestinian land, cease illegal settlement activities and stop work on the separation wall.

At this juncture, our two countries have identified the following common areas for closer cooperation.·

• Norway and Spain support President Abbas’ proposal to develop a national dialogue between Palestinian factions.·
• Norway and Spain will financially support a funding mechanism administered by the President’s Office to finance Palestinian missions abroad.
• Norway and Spain will actively support dialogue between the parties, especially with the objective to achieve a fair and lasting peace. The two governments recall their past contributions to the peace process and show their readiness to actively support the scenario of future negotiations in coordination with the parties and the members of the Quartet.
• Norway and Spain both have a significant involvement in the Palestinian energy sector. We will explore ways and means to further strengthen our involvement financially and technically and assist in the efforts to enhance Palestinian participation in regional energy cooperation.
• Norway and Spain will financially support a broad based assessment of water-related environmental problems in the West Bank. We will together consult with the parties on how this assessment could be undertaken, its terms of reference and the possible involvement of UNEP in this work.
• Norway and Spain will seek close cooperation with involved parties in order to strengthen regional initiatives related to water issues.