Jordan condemns Israel decision to revoke status of Norwegian diplomats

Jordan, on Friday, condemned Israel’s decision to revoke the accreditation of Norwegian diplomats dealing with the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority, Anadolu Agency reports.

The “unprecedented move fits within the provocative measures taken by the Israeli government against those who recognise the State of Palestine and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights,” the country’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It added that Israel’s reaction to several European countries that recently recognised the State of Palestine is “in direct opposition to international law and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations”.

Earlier on Thursday, EU Foreign Policy chief, Josep Borrell, condemned Israel’s decision on the Norwegian diplomats.

The US State Department took a more restrained tone, saying the Israeli decision was not “helpful”.

“We don’t think steps to prevent them from playing that role are particularly helpful,” State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller, said.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry revoked the accreditation of eight Norwegian diplomats dealing with the Palestinian Authority in response to Oslo’s recognition of Palestinian statehood in May.

Norway joined Spain and Ireland in recognising Palestine as a state, a move that infuriated Israel. Slovenia and Armenia also followed suit in June.

Israel vowed to take measures against those countries.

READ: Israel rejection of Norwegian diplomats in Palestinian areas is extreme, Norway says