By: ATN News
Davos: In an interview with Reuters, Norway's Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide, revealed that several European states, concerned Arab countries, and the United States are collaborating on a proposal for a unified Palestinian government. The objective is to attract reconstruction funds for the region. Eide did not specify the countries involved but emphasized the goal of building a broad unity government.
Norway advocates for a unified Palestinian territory governed by the Palestinian Authority, contingent upon the Palestinians' preferences. Eide highlighted Norway's historical role as a facilitator in the 1992-1993 talks between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which led to the Oslo Accords in 1993.
The Palestinian Authority, established under the Oslo Accords, currently exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank. However, talks with Israel on a Palestinian state collapsed in 2014. Meanwhile, Hamas has governed Gaza since 2007, with a stated commitment to Israel's destruction.
Norway has chaired the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), a donor group coordinating international assistance to Palestinian territories, since the Oslo talks. The country has been actively involved in efforts to revive diplomatic channels between Israel and the Palestinians.
Eide emphasized the urgency of pursuing a two-state solution amid the escalating regional conflict. He noted that while the United States and the Israeli people hold influence over Israel's position, efforts can focus on fostering Palestinian unity and exploring models with interested countries.
Calls for a two-state solution have intensified following attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, during which Hamas gunmen killed 1,200 people and took 240 hostages. This prompted an Israeli bombardment and ground offensive against Hamas-ruled Gaza, resulting in over 24,000 reported casualties.
A two-state agreement would establish a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip alongside Israel. Israel insists on the demilitarization of a Palestinian state to ensure its security.