Norway proposes ban on trade with Israeli settlements
OSLO, September 15, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Norway has proposed banning imports from and exports to Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, under draft legislation open for public consultation until September 19.
The proposal, published by the foreign ministry on June 19, would make violations punishable by fines, up to three years in prison, or both. Negligent violations could carry fines, up to six months in prison, or both. The legislation has not been adopted.
The restrictions would extend to acquiring property in the settlements and providing certain construction, engineering, architectural and real estate services directly connected to building, buying or selling property there. Acquiring or increasing ownership stakes in businesses with their headquarters and production sites in the settlements would also be prohibited.
Humanitarian activities and activities with a sufficient Palestinian connection would be exempt. The ministry said the proposal was intended to prevent support for settlement activity while protecting legitimate Palestinian business and trade.
The draft would also remove the requirement that certain offences committed abroad must be punishable in the country where they occurred before they can be prosecuted in Norway.
The government says Israeli settlements violate international law and undermine a two-state solution. The proposal follows parliamentary requests for restrictions and earlier government advice against trade and business activities that help sustain the settlements.
On September 8, Norway and 11 other countries issued a joint statement announcing plans to introduce national restrictions, support European restrictions on trade in settlement goods, or actively consider such measures. The statement specified that countries would act according to their national procedures.
The September 19 deadline marks the end of the consultation period; it does not establish an adoption or implementation date.
Source: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, draft legislation and September 8 joint statement
