The Foreign Minister of Norway, Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre, has written a congratulatory greeting for a book by the Norwegian organisation ”With Israel for Peace " (MIFF), which is published in connection with the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel.
28/04/2008 :: Israel and its development over the past 60 years have been a source of strong feelings among people throughout the world, not least in Norway. There has been something special about the Norwegian people’s strong interest in and close ties with Israel.
There are many reasons for this, but the Holocaust plays a particularly important role here. The Jewish people’s suffering before and during the Second World War will forever stand as one of the most horrific chapters in history.
The creation of the State of Israel won strong support in the Norwegian labour movement, which developed ideological and personal bonds with its Israeli counterpart in the years after the war. These ties remain strong and close to this day.
The history of the Jewish people and Israel’s geography have also been key elements in many Norwegians’ upbringing, education and faith. Many of them have felt an emotional attachment to the Jewish people, as well as a sense of religious kinship. The creation of the State of Israel on 14 May 1948 was met with great enthusiasm in Norway, and when Norway recognised the new state on 4 February 1949, it was among the first countries to do so. Norway then proceeded to actively advocate that Israel be recognised and accepted as a member of the UN.
Over the past 60 years, there has been strong Norwegian interest in Israel and the situation in the Middle East. Political ties with Israel have always been close. Norway’s relations with Israel were instrumental in the creation of the secret Oslo Channel, which in 1993 resulted in a breakthrough in the deadlocked political situation and laid the foundation for rapprochement between Israel and the Palestinians.
Many Norwegians also have first-hand experience of Israel. They have Israeli friends and colleagues, and follow developments in the country closely. Many young Norwegians have spent time at kibbutzim or have done voluntary work in different parts of Israel. In addition, many Norwegians have served in the UN peacekeeping forces in Gaza, Sinai, the Golan Heights and Southern Lebanon – forces that are tasked with helping to maintain Israel’s security and stability in the region. For many Norwegians, Israel is also a site of religious pilgrimage, a place of study, a cultural arena and a popular tourist destination.
In the declaration of the establishment of the State of Israel, Ben Gurion, who would become Israel’s Prime Minister, said, “This right is the natural right of the Jewish people to be masters of their own fate, like all other nations, in their own sovereign State.” Norway has always, and will always, support Israel’s right to live in peace and security. Norway also supports the rights of the Palestinian people. We support a two-state solution, with two independent states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. Norway and Israel agree on this point. But the road to achieving this has proved to be long and arduous.
Let’s hope that the anniversary year 2008 will be the year in which Israel is finally able to see a real possibility of lasting peace with the Palestinians. The political process with the Palestinians that was resumed in Annapolis in 2007 is demanding. I am pleased to see considerable political courage on both sides. At the same time, it is essential that the international community continues to support these peace efforts. Norway will contribute as best it can.
I wish Israel prosperity and peace, side by side with the Palestinians and all its other neighbours. I congratulate the State of Israel on its 60th anniversary – and the organisation With Israel for Peace on its 30th anniversary. In such a year of anniversaries, it seems appropriate to conclude with this quotation by the Norwegian poet Henrik Wergeland, who was born 200 years ago: “Christian, Muslim, Heathen, Jew / Needs must meet / In their common Father’s arms”.
Jonas Gahr Støre, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Oslo, April 2008