Norway announces $13.2 million in additional support for Palestine

18:05

By: Azzat Manal

Norway announces $13.2 million in additional support for Palestine

Norway has announced an additional 125 million Norwegian kroner, equivalent to approximately $13.2 million, in financial support for Palestine through United Nations and World Bank channels. The new funding comes as humanitarian and economic needs remain acute and as international donors continue to coordinate assistance to the Palestinian population and institutions.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said the need for international support had reached an unprecedented level. The latest allocation is intended to contribute to assistance for Palestinians while also providing budget support to the Palestinian public sector through established international mechanisms.

Norway's decision comes during the United Nations General Assembly's high-level week in New York, where Eide is also leading meetings of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, the international donor group for Palestine. The committee serves as a forum for coordinating international assistance and supporting Palestinian institution-building and economic development.

The Norwegian government said the situation in Gaza remains particularly difficult, with access to food, clean water, electricity and healthcare still severely restricted. It also highlighted the scale of destruction and the limited resources available for reconstruction, adding to pressure on international donors to maintain humanitarian and financial assistance.

The new funding is part of a broader Norwegian commitment to Palestine. Oslo expects its total assistance to Palestine, including support for Palestinian refugees, to reach around one billion kroner in 2026. Earlier this year, Norway also provided 100 million kroner in budget support to help maintain essential public services and provide greater financial stability.

Budget assistance has become particularly important for Palestinian public institutions facing severe financial constraints. Norway has said previous support helped sustain services including education and healthcare while contributing to the payment of public-sector salaries during a period of acute fiscal pressure.

Norway has also maintained a prominent role in international diplomatic efforts concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The country chairs the AHLC and is involved in international efforts supporting a two-state solution. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said during the UN General Assembly week that Palestinian institutions require sufficient international support and called for increased humanitarian assistance.

The Norwegian government has simultaneously expressed concern over developments in the West Bank, including settlement expansion and violence by settlers. These positions form part of Oslo's wider diplomatic engagement on the conflict and its stated support for a negotiated two-state framework.

With the latest contribution, Norway is continuing a long-running financial and diplomatic engagement with Palestine while international organizations and donor governments assess the scale of humanitarian needs and the challenges of reconstruction. The additional $13.2 million is therefore part of a wider assistance effort rather than a standalone funding package.