Up to three years in prison: Norway prepares to pass bill banning trade with West Bank settlements

Individuals or companies found trading with Israeli settlements could face up to three years in prison under the proposed Norwegian trade restrictions bill, expected by Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide to be passed in the fall. 

The consultation deadline on the bill is September 19.

"The arguments have only become stronger because the situation in the West Bank has become even worse," Eide told the country's public broadcaster, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK). "In addition, so many other countries are doing the same thing that the government has already proposed with this bill.”

Eide told NRK he believed Israel had become "far too accustomed to being able to intimidate Western countries by saying they were antisemitic if they criticized Israel for abuses and violations of international law."

"Now the Teflon coating that Israel has in many ways had is gone.”

Twelve countries confirm intention to impose trade restrictions

Last week, 12 countries confirmed their intention to impose national restrictions on trade in goods from Israeli settlements, including Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

The 12 nations jointly said that the Israeli government’s actions in the West Bank “damage the possibility of realizing the two-state solution.”

They said that “the situation is deteriorating rapidly against the backdrop of unprecedented levels of settler violence and settlement expansion, including the unacceptable decision to publish tenders for the E1 settlement project."

In Canada, the punishment for being found trading with Israeli settlements is up to five years under the nation's Special Economic Measures Act. In the United Kingdom, the punishment is up to 10 years.

Eide told NRK that the US reaction to the sanctions announced by European countries was "very restrained, almost somewhat understanding," which served as a "very strong signal" to Israel about shifting politics.

NRK explained that while trade between Norway and Israeli settlements is not extensive, the sanctions are primarily a political move.

“No, the economic volume is not particularly large," said Eide. "The relevant goods include, for example, wine and some agricultural products," as well as those involved in construction and building in the settlements.

“If the largest countries do not stand up for international law, human rights, and international law, then the rest of us will have to do it."