Norway prepares to ban trade with West Bank settlements with new bill

Individuals or companies found trading with Israeli settlements could face up to three years in prison under the proposed Norwegian trade restrictions bill, expected by Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide to be passed in the fall.The consultation deadline on the bill is September 19.“The arguments have only become stronger because the situation in the West Bank has become even worse,” Eide told the country's public broadcaster, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK). “In addition, so many other countries are doing the same thing that the government has already proposed with this bill.”He told NRK he believed Israel had become “far too accustomed to being able to intimidate Western countries by saying they were antisemitic if they criticized Israel for abuses and violations of international law.”“Now the Teflon coating that Israel has had in many ways is gone.”Twelve countries confirm intention to impose trade restrictionsLast week, 12 countries confirmed…