Israel rejected last month’s request by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to visit the country, citing “political reasons.”
The move further strained diplomatic ties already under pressure from Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza and Oslo’s decision in May to recognize a Palestinian state.
Støre confirmed the reports, first published by Norway’s Dagens Næringsliv, explaining that Israeli officials informed Oslo the visit was not welcome. He said he was told “this is not the time” to arrange such a trip.
The idea for the visit emerged while Støre participated in US President Donald Trump’s “Peace Summit” in Sharm el-Sheikh last month. The planned trip was also meant to include meetings with Palestinian Authority officials in Judea and Samaria, as well as a stop in Jordan.