Espen Barth Eide used his allotted time on the UN podium to call for a Palestinian state. It’s extraordinary that Norway’s foreign minister is championing a state that is associated with the worst terror.

“The Middle East is experiencing one of its darkest hours,” said Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide as he urged all states to recognise Palestine from the UN rostrum.

It’s hard to understand Eide’s logic. While recognising Israel’s right to defend itself, he calls for support for a Palestinian state.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs devoted much of Norway’s speech at the UN General Assembly in New York to the Middle East.

“Almost a year has passed since Hamas’ heinous terrorist attack against Israel on 7 October,” said Eide (Ap) in the main debate at the UN on Saturday.

He reiterated Norway’s strong condemnation of the attack and demanded that the hostages in Gaza be released immediately, without conditions. At the same time, he emphasised that Israel, like all other states, has the right to defend itself against terrorism – and is bound by international law.

– The enormous suffering inflicted on the Palestinian population in Gaza is unrivalled. Much of Gaza is in ruins. At least 41,000 people have been killed, and many more are wounded and maimed for life,” said Eide.

He agrees with the UN Secretary-General that “nothing can justify such collective punishment.”

This is the type of categorical statement that a foreign minister should be wary of. The word justify is loaded. Does Barth Eide really believe that Israel had no right to take out Hassan Nasrallah? “It’s Hamas and Hezbollah that are using the civilian population as a shield. Should Israel put up with that?

Colonisation

Eide then pointed out that the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are expanding at an “alarming rate”.

The Middle East is experiencing one of its darkest hours, Eide said, painting a bleak picture of the wider situation in the region.

“As we gather at the UN this week, Lebanon has experienced its deadliest days in decades. We are on the brink of a major regional war.

Eide likes superlatives. He criticises Israel for colonising his own country. He himself is the leader of a government that is colonising Norway with foreigners. Population replacement is taking place all over Western Europe.

Israel relies too much on the use of force, as the US did after 9/11.

– Even neighbouring countries that long ago signed peace agreements with Israel are under enormous pressure. The situation is getting worse by the hour,” said Eide, emphasising that the region’s conflicts are deeply intertwined.

– Have seen this film before

On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the same gathering.

– His main message was that we all have to choose – either we stand with Israel, or we stand with Iran and its proxies. He also stated that there can only be peace if Hezbollah and Hamas are completely defeated,” said Eide and continued:

– We have seen this film before. I didn’t like the ending.

Referenced to 11 September 2001

Without mentioning George W. Bush by name, Eide pointed out that the US President had a similar message after the terrorist attacks on New York 22 years ago.

“This division into a simplistic black-and-white picture where there is no room for nuance and complexity, nor impartiality, and with an excessive reliance on military power alone, is extremely dangerous,” said Eide.

– And it didn’t end well. We need to learn from the mistakes of the past,” continued the Norwegian Foreign Minister.

What means would Eide prefer in the face of Hamas and Hezbollah, who have promised to destroy the state of Israel and kill the Jews?

Eide emphasised that every crisis brings with it an opportunity. He reiterated Norway’s position that a two-state solution is the only credible path to a lasting peace.

Although there is an urgent need for ceasefires in both Gaza and Lebanon, it is not an alternative to lasting solutions,

he pointed out.

On Thursday, almost 100 UN member states participated in a meeting organised by Norway, the EU and Saudi Arabia, where they launched a global alliance to implement the two-state solution.

“Three decades after the Oslo Accords, more and more states are realising that waiting forever for the right moment to negotiate is useless,” said Eide.

Ask for Palestine support

Norway recognised Palestine as an independent state in May, and is among 146 of the 193 UN member states that have so far done the same.

Eide received a round of applause from the audience when he urged the rest of the countries to follow suit – so that the State of Palestine can become a full member of the UN.

“We call on all those who can to help build Palestine’s institutions, and on regional actors to help incorporate a political solution into a broader regional framework,” said Eide.

Finally, he promised that Norway will stand by Ukraine’s side to the bitter end. Here, war is entirely appropriate. Morten Jentoft said today that the war has cost one million people killed and maimed.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs began his speech at the 79th UN General Assembly by pointing out that the pillars of the UN Charter are under threat.

“For the first time in 79 years, we have a major interstate war in Europe,” said Eide, pointing out that Russia is violating the very foundations of the UN Charter with its war of aggression against Ukraine.

“These principles ensure the equality of all states, large and small, always and everywhere, and are fundamental to the security of Member States,” said Eide.

Warning from Lavrov

Just minutes earlier, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had stood on the same rostrum. According to Reuters, he warned other countries against getting involved in the Ukraine war.

“I’m not going to talk here about the unreasonableness and danger of the very idea of trying to fight for victory over a nuclear power – which is what Russia is,” said Lavrov.

Eide, for his part, emphasised that Norway supports and will continue to support Ukraine, both militarily and civilly, for as long as it is needed.

“We want Ukraine to prevail. We want peace in Ukraine. But it must be a just peace, in line with the key principles of the UN Charter,” Eide emphasised.

He strongly warned against a peace solution for Ukraine that involves changing borders by force.

“We must all reject such an outcome. It would set a terrible precedent,” said the Norwegian Foreign Minister.

Barth Eide has just advocated changing the borders of the sovereign state of Israel, nor will he recognise its right to defend itself. Ukraine, on the other hand, is receiving tens of billions from the Norwegian state for its defence, including inside enemy territory.

It doesn’t make sense.