On Thursday, November 16, 2023, the Norwegian Parliament adopted by majority a government proposal regarding “readiness” to recognize the independent State of Palestine.

Norwegian media reported that the government submitted to Parliament a proposal regarding “willingness” to recognize Palestine.

The resolution stated: “Parliament requests the government to be prepared to recognize Palestine as an independent state when recognition has a positive impact on the peace process, without making the final peace agreement a condition.”

Although the government proposal was passed by an overwhelming majority in the Norwegian Parliament, the country “will not recognize the State of Palestine immediately.”

The government proposal comes in response to a proposal submitted by small parties, calling for “immediate recognition” of the State of Palestine.

Meanwhile, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre earlier expressed his condolences over the killing of many Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip during the past weeks.

This came during a meeting between Stoura and his Palestinian counterpart, Muhammad Shtayyeh, in the French capital, Paris, a week ago, on the sidelines of the International Humanitarian Conference for Civilians in Gaza.

Stoura said, in a blog post on the “X” platform: “We had a good meeting with Dr. Shtayyeh,” and added: “During the meeting, I thanked Dr. Shtayyeh for his leadership in preserving the goal of the two-state solution, and we are committed to supporting achieving that.”

Stoura concluded by saying: "We express our sincere condolences for the killing of many civilians and the displacement of others during the past weeks."

For 41 days, the Israeli army has been waging a devastating war on Gaza, leaving 11,500 martyrs, including 4,710 children and 3,160 women, in addition to 29,800 injured, 70% of whom are children and women, according to official Palestinian sources.