New Labor Government with Trump Effect

Stoltenberg and Støre coming out from the Palace today (screenshot from nrk.no)

Today, the new Labor Party government of Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has been presented, and the Israel movement in Norway seems despondent. The Støre/Stoltenberg duo could lead to a Social Democratic election victory in the fall, and there are fears that the Støre/Eide line will continue towards Israel.

The appointment of Åsmund Aukrust as Minister of Development is undoubtedly a handout to the left wing of the Labor Party. We think with horror of Aukrust's nomination of UNRWA for the Nobel Peace Prize. But Aukrust will not be able to do anything of importance here as Minister of Development. Israel and the USA have ensured that UNRWA will die.

Let us recall that Jens Stoltenberg brings to Støre's collegium strong dimensions that are probably desired by Prime Minister Støre.

As Minister of Finance, he is undoubtedly qualified.

But Stolteberg's most important role will be to bring his weight and experience from global politics. He understands, above all, what is crucial to achieving results.

As NATO chief, he built a trusting relationship with Trump 1. Signals from the first days of Trump 2 indicate that the trust between Trump and Stoltenberg is maintained. This is worth its weight in gold for Norway and Støre.

In contrast to Støre's first government, Støre/Stoltenberg bring a weight and insight that Støre/Eide has lacked.

Stoltenberg will take seriously the signals from Trump about the future of Israel and the Middle East. I really think that the experienced foreign policy expert Jonas Gahr Støre will appreciate that.

Our position is that the new Støre government could be a blessing for Israel. Let's give this government a fair chance.