President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel set off immediate concerns, warnings and protests in Norway that even worry the US’ own embassy in Oslo. The embassy sent out a warning of its own to all US citizens in Norway Thursday morning, cautioning them to be extra careful in the time ahead.
It’s not unusual for the US Embassy and others around the world to send out security warnings, often by forwarding those issued by the US Department of State. Now the embassy in Oslo is clearly worried that Trump’s announcement Wednesday night, which Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) aired live on its national nightly newscast Dagsrevyen, poses a security threat to US citizens.
“The recent announcement that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and plans to relocate the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem may spark protests,” states the embassy’s “Security Message for US Citizens” that was e-mailed to those registered with the embassy in Oslo Wednesday morning. The embassy added that the protests “have the potential to become violent.”
The embassy reminded US citizens “of the need for caution and awareness of personal security,” to avoid areas of demonstrations, and to “exercise caution” when in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests or demonstrations. The US Embassy in Oslo was itself long a target of demonstrations on a wide variety of issues when it was located on the fringe of downtown Oslo.
It moved to a new site outside the city center last spring, where it’s been without an ambassador since just before Trump was inaugurated as US president in January. The former ambassador, Samuel Heins, was a staunch Democrat and the choice of former US President Barack Obama. Heins resigned both in accordance with custom and on the grounds he could not serve Trump or carry out Trump’s policies. Trump recently chose his own ambassador to Norway but he has yet to be confirmed by the US Congress.
The embassy warning followed a string of concerns, warnings and protests in Norway over Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem. They were voiced both by the Norwegian government and leaders of the opposition in Parliament, along with a wide variety of commentators.
newsinenglish.no/Nina Berglund
