Israel refuses Norway FM’s request to visit

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz nixed his Norwegian counterpart Espen Barth Eide’s request to visit Tel Aviv in protest against Oslo’s recognition of the State of Palestine in May, Israeli media outlets reported yesterday.

Katz turned down Eide’s request to visit Israel over “Oslo’s recognition of a Palestinian state, refusal to recognise Hamas as a terror organisation, and support for South Africa’s case against Israel in The Hague,” the Times of Israel reported.

According to the report, Eide approached Katz during last week’s NATO summit held in Washington, saying: “We have a lot to discuss.”

“You have also done a lot to us,” responded the Israeli minister.

As a result of Israel’s denial of approval, the Norwegian foreign minister cannot visit the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Norway, along with Ireland and Spain, officially recognised Palestine as a state on 28 May.

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