Norway intends to increase aid to PA, UNRWA and Lebanon

Norway intends to increase its financial aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza, according to a joint announcement released on Friday by the Norwegian government, the Palestinian Authority (PA), and the Lebanese government.

The boosted aid, which amounts to almost $16 million will reportedly be evenly split between the Gaza Strip, the PA and Lebanon.

“The situation in the Middle East is more dangerous than in decades,” stated Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. He said the PA is in an “acute financial situation.”

Approximately $3.6 million in aid for Lebanon has reportedly been allocated to support refugee populations amid the ongoing Hezbollah-Israel conflict. Norway also donated $3.4 million to Lebanon earlier this year.

The Oslo government stated that its aid to Gaza and Lebanon will prioritize food, water, education and health services. Turning to the PA in Ramallah, Eide emphasized that strengthening the PA government, led by Fatah party leader Mahmoud Abbas, is crucial for preserving the two-state solution.

“It would be a dramatic step backward for the Palestinians and the two-state solution if the Palestinian institutions collapse. It would also undermine the 30-year effort to build the Palestinian state. The international community must do what we can to prevent this from happening,” Eide said.

The two-state solution has been proposed multiple times since it was first introduced by the British Peel Commission in 1937. While the Jewish side expressed support for the agreement, the Arab side did not, likely due to its opposition to the establishment of a Jewish state within any boundaries.

The current Norwegian government has emerged as one of Israel’s most vocal critics in Europe since the Hamas terrorist organization invaded and launched an attack against Israel last Oct. 7, 2023.

In May, Norway joined Spain and Ireland in unilaterally recognizing a “Palestinian state” despite objections from Israel that such a diplomatic move constitutes a reward for the Oct. 7 massacre of 1,200, alongside the kidnapping of 251 hostages and various violent crimes against Israelis.

At the time, Eide stated, “For more than 30 years, Norway has been one of the strongest advocates for a Palestinian state. Today, when Norway officially recognizes Palestine as a state, is a milestone in the relationship between Norway and Palestine.”

The Norwegian government also supports the International Criminal Court (ICC) following its recent move to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for “war crimes” against Palestinians in Gaza.

"The ICC plays a crucial role in ensuring accountability for serious crimes," Eide said, without acknowledging Hamas embedding itself among the civilian population in Gaza.

Norway has been a top donor to UNRWA despite the UN agency’s problematic ties to Hamas and anti-Israel terrorism.

Last month, Norway condemned the State of Israel for closing UNRWA’s operations in East Jerusalem, Gaza, Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). due to its strong affiliation with Hamas.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre argued that “the UN, international humanitarian organizations, and states continue to face systematic obstacles when working in Palestine and delivering humanitarian assistance to Palestinians under occupation.”

Israeli intelligence has previously estimated that at least 12% of UNRWA’s employees in Gaza are affiliated with Hamas and other terrorist organizations.