The Palestine Conference: What can Norway do?
Saturday, October 12
- 11:00
Israel does not comply with the demands of the International Court of Justice to prevent genocide and end the occupation. The Court also says that other states must not provide assistance for the continuation of the illegalities. The question is therefore WHAT CAN NORWAY DO? We put this question to Norwegian politicians, to the Palestinian ambassador and representatives of Palestinian civil society, to representatives of Norwegian business and trade unions, as well as to Norwegian Palestine activists and civil society.
In January, the International Court of Justice concluded that Israel's warfare in Gaza constitutes a risk of genocide and demanded measures to prevent this.
In July, the same court concluded that Israel's continued presence in occupied territory is in violation of international law and must be ended. According to the court, Israel must immediately cease all illegal settlements and provide full compensation to all affected Palestinians. Furthermore, the court ruled that all other states are required not to provide aid or assistance for the continuation of the illegalities.
There is no indication that Israel will comply with the demands of the UN's highest court. The question is therefore: What are Norway's obligations, and how can we help to prevent genocide and end the occupation?
Program
11.00 Welcome by Kirsti Næss, Chairman of the Joint Committee for Palestine.
11.10 What do the international courts say, and what are the legal consequences? Introduction by Attorney Josef Adam Younes, board member of Defend International Law
11.50 What can the Norwegian state do? Conversation between Marie Antoinette Sedin, Palestinian Ambassador to Norway, Andreas Kravik (A), State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cecilie Hellestveit, conflict and international law researcher and member of the Council on Ethics. Moderator: Jostein Hole Kobbeltveldt, CEO of the Rafto Foundation.
12.35 Input from the audience.
12.50 Lunch and mingling.
13.35 What is the most important3rd states can do to prevent genocide?
Issam Younis, General Director, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights Gaza-Palestine and Khaled Quzmar, General Director, Defense for Children International - Palestine (both via videolink)
14.25 Questions from the audience.
14.40 What can business do? Conversation between Arvid Skedsmo, senior analyst at KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS, Ingunn Gjerstad, leader of LO in Oslo, Kari Elisabeth Kaski (SV) and Marie Sneve Martinussen (R) both in the Finance Committee. Moderator: Marte Hansen Haugan, head of Changemaker.
15.20 Input from the audience.
15.35 Break.
15.50 What can civil society do? Conversation between Tor Øystein Vaaland, head of church affairs in Oslo diocese and author of several books on Palestine, Jan Olav Andersen, chairman of Norwegian People's Aid, Rami Samandar, board member of the Palestine Committee and active in the Action Group for Palestine. Moderator: Sissel Henriksen, retired foreign affairs journalist.
16:30 Input from the audience.
16.45 Closing.
Admission: NOK 100 for pupils, apprentices and students and NOK 200 for others. Pay on Vipps 21049 in advance with the text "Palestinakonferansen", and will be shown at the door. If you don't have Vipps, you can pay with cash at the door.
Photo: Watercolor by Palestinian artist Rawan Anani
