Norway's deputy foreign minister stated that international law must be upheld, even when allies violate it, specifically condemning the US-Israeli war on Iran as illegal. Andreas Kravik emphasized the importance of multilateralism and the ICC's role, despite ongoing conflicts.
Norway's stance highlights the challenge of upholding international law when powerful allies are involved in conflicts, underscoring the importance of consistent application of legal principles for global stability and the credibility of international institutions like the ICC and ICJ.
Norway's deputy foreign minister, Andreas Kravik, has asserted that international law must be upheld, even when close allies are the ones violating it. Speaking on the Middle East Eye's Expert Witness podcast, Kravik reiterated Oslo's condemnation of the US-Israeli war on Iran, launched on February 28, stating it has no legal basis.
Kravik, a public international lawyer, explained that under the UN Charter, the use of force against another state requires authorization from the UN Security Council, a response to an immediate threat, or the consent of the state concerned. He stated that none of these conditions were met in the case of the war on Iran, and that Iran had not consented.
He also acknowledged Iran's right to self-defense but noted that its response had also violated international law by not being proportionate and by targeting civilians. Kravik argued that states often invoke international law selectively, and that speaking out only against adversaries, not friends, would lead to the collapse of the legal framework.
Despite condemning the war, Kravik emphasized that Norway, acting as a mediator, continues to work with Washington to end the conflict and engages with Iran despite its own breaches of international law. He stressed the importance of reinvigorating diplomatic processes.
Norway also voiced strong support for the International Criminal Court (ICC), condemning US sanctions against its judges and prosecutors. Kravik stated that Norway would comply with any ICC arrest warrant issued for an individual on Norwegian soil. He also urged respect for the ICC prosecutor's disciplinary proceedings, warning that disregarding them would create a perception of politicization and harm the court's integrity.
Regarding the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Kravik noted that Israel was not respecting its decisions, particularly concerning humanitarian aid to Gaza and UNRWA. He described UNRWA as an indispensable organization that Norway would continue to fund.