Norway Announces Additional $13m Support for Palestinians

Norway has announced an additional 125 million Norwegian kroner ($13.17 million) in assistance for Palestinians, with the funding to be channelled through the United Nations and the World Bank.

The Norwegian government said on Thursday that the new funding would include support for the Palestinian public sector as well as other assistance delivered through international institutions. Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said the need for international support for Palestinians was “greater than ever.”

The announcement was made as Norway takes part in high-level diplomatic meetings during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Norway chairs the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), the international donor group responsible for coordinating assistance and support for Palestinian institution-building and economic development.

Norway said its latest contribution brings its total assistance to the Palestinians in 2026 to around 1 billion Norwegian kroner. The government has also identified the early reconstruction of Gaza as a priority and called for increased humanitarian assistance and the start of reconstruction efforts.

The Norwegian government said people in Gaza continue to face severe limitations in access to food, clean water, electricity and healthcare, while widespread destruction and uncertainty have slowed reconstruction efforts.

Eide also criticised Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank, saying increased settlement expansion, restrictions on movement and violence were worsening conditions for Palestinians. Norway has recognised a Palestinian state since 2024 and has continued to advocate for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The latest announcement comes amid continuing humanitarian needs in Gaza and the West Bank. A recent United Nations humanitarian report said funding shortages were limiting the ability of aid organisations to respond to needs in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Norway’s new contribution is expected to be delivered through established multilateral channels, including the UN and World Bank, rather than as a direct bilateral payment.