The Norwegian government has announced that the European Union will follow a plan to label goods coming from Israeli settlements in Israeli-occupied territories, while Tel Aviv denounced the decision, stressing that “goods coming from occupied territories should not be labeled Israeli” .

In turn, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement that “Norway’s new position will negatively affect bilateral relations between Israel and Norway, as well as the importance of Norway in strengthening relations between Israel and the Palestinians,” noting “Norway’s long-term role as an intermediary in the Israeli-Palestinian Palestinian conflict.”

Oslo explained that the measure mainly concerns the import of wine, olive oil, fruits and vegetables and will apply to products coming from the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and the occupied Golan Heights.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Anneken Hetfeldt emphasized that “this is not a boycott of Israel”, adding that “Norway has good relations with Israel and should continue.”