Norway Leads Initiative for Palestinian State Support

European, Arab, and Islamic nations have initiated a concerted effort to support a Palestinian state and its institutions, as announced by Norway's Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide. This initiative, launched on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, reflects a growing international consensus on establishing a recognized Palestinian Authority and state, addressing critical issues such as security interests for both Israelis and Palestinians, the normalization of relations, and the demobilization of Hamas. Eide emphasized that these elements are interconnected and require a comprehensive approach. Despite potential opposition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he advocates for a new strategy to break the longstanding deadlock in negotiations. The initiative, titled 'The Global Alliance for the Implementation of a Palestinian State and a Two-State Solution,' aims to leverage the current crisis as an opportunity for progress. As the guarantor of the Oslo Accords, Norway asserts that the recognition of a Palestinian state is increasingly urgent.