Norway’s Socialist Left Party (SV) is this week putting forward a proposal in the Storting that Norwegians who send financial support to Israeli settlers should be investigated and prosecuted by the Norwegian authorities.

— We know that there are environments in Norway that openly support the illegal settlements. According to the International Court of Justice, we are obliged under international law to stop such contributions, says Deputy Leader Marian Hussein of SV.

The party is also calling for the freezing of the free trade agreement Norway has with Israel, and proposes the establishment of a special tribunal to prosecute those responsible for what SV describes as Israeli war crimes.

The proposal is meeting strong criticism. KrF representative Jonas Andersen Sayed rejects it outright.

— KrF wants to increase contact with Israel, not stifle it. If the result of the 7 October massacre becomes a Norwegian freeze of trade relations, that is entirely the wrong direction to take, he writes in an SMS to Klassekampen.

Med Israel for Fred (Miff) believes the proposal is discriminatory.

— It would be contrary to Norwegian anti-discrimination legislation to punish someone who wishes to make a financial contribution to a controversial cause, while not punishing equivalent support, says Managing Director Conrad Myrland.

Hussein rejects the criticism.

— That Miff believes it is discriminatory to prosecute this probably says most about Miff’s own position, she says.