Norway's government is working on a bill targeting economic ties with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. The bill would impose prison sentences of up to three years on those who trade with the settlements.
Norwegian official Eide said the bill aims to prevent economic support for the settlements. Eide said the government also plans to prohibit the provision of certain services, adding that Western countries had changed their approach toward Israelis who seize Palestinian land.

Eide argued that Israel had become accustomed to intimidating Western countries by accusing them in response to criticism of its human rights violations. He said this approach was no longer effective.
The bill is expected to be submitted to the Norwegian Parliament in the coming months.
Twelve countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Norway and Canada, announced on September 8 that they had decided to ban trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.