The Foreign Ministry is now conducting an organized review, led by Sa’ar, regarding the embassy’s future. Israel had decided to wait for Norway’s elections, believing a political shift could allow relations to be rehabilitated, but that shift did not materialize and the left-wing government that recognized a Palestinian state remains in power.
A Foreign Ministry official said Norway “took something that should have been professional, economic and apolitical and turned it into a political issue. They are injecting anti-Israel politicization into the sovereign wealth fund.”
A Foreign Ministry official said Norway is “clearly among the leaders of the harm and boycotts against Israel. It is at the forefront of defamation and moves that damage Israel in international forums, and therefore, the option of closing the embassy is being considered. Discussions are ongoing within the Foreign Ministry.”