Prison for West Bank trade

Norway proposes jailing citizens up to three years for knowingly doing business with Israeli communities in the West Bank.

What the law would ban

The proposal would prohibit importing goods from Israeli settlements and exporting goods to them. It would also restrict real estate deals and investments.

Penalties for violations

Intentional violations could bring fines, three years in prison, or both. Even negligent violations could mean six months behind bars.

Israel calls it hostile

Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon condemned the proposal as obsessive anti-Israel activism that damages relations and encourages rejectionism.

“Norway's proposal to criminalize trade with Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria is the latest expression of their obsessive and openly hostile policy toward Israel.”

Norway's legal justification

Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide says Israeli settlements violate international law and undermine prospects for a two-state solution.

“Norwegian citizens and Norwegian companies must not profit from or support activities that help sustain Israel's unlawful settlement activity in Palestine.”

Exemptions for Palestinians

The law would exempt humanitarian work and transactions with sufficient Palestinian ties that don't help build or expand Israeli communities.

Critics call it racist

Dag Juliussen of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem says the exemptions would permit business with Palestinians while criminalizing the same deals with Jews.

“Such a law would effectively serve as a reward for terrorism and, at its core, is deeply racist toward Jews.”

Identity as the deciding factor

Buying produce from Muslim, Christian or Arab residents could be legal, while buying identical products from Jewish residents could become criminal.

Norway's shift on Israel

Norway recognized a Palestinian state in 2024 and has become one of Israel's strongest European critics since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.