Norwegian church leaders joined the latest demonstration in Oslo this week against Israel’s military attacks on Palestinians living in Gaza. They demanded that charges be brought against Israel at the UN’s international court in The Hague.
Around 1,000 people, including several Norwegian pastors, marched through Oslo and gathered in front of the Parliament on Monday to protest Israel’s bombardment of Gaza that has left hundreds of children dead and wounded.
“It’s become difficult to find any good words for what Israel is doing,” pastor Birte Nordahl told state broadcaster NRK. “Self-defense is no longer one of them. Israel’s overpowering dominance demands that it now take responsibility.” Demonstrators demanded the bombing be stopped.
Around 80 leaders of the Norwegian church support claims by a Palestinian committee in Norway that Israel’s military offensive amounts to genocide, and therefore Israeli leaders should be charged in court. “Schools, hospitals and civilian homes have been bombed,” pastor Anne Anita Lillebø told NRK. “It’s not safe anywhere and there are huge civilian losses on the Palestinian side.”
Foreign Minister Børge Brende called the situation “a humanitarian catastrophe,” and welcomed another attempt Tuesday at a temporary ceasefire.
newsinenglish.no staff
