Norwegian group coming to Knesset to apologize for Oslo Accords
Christian leaders are coming from Oslo - to ask for forgiveness for "Oslo."
By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMANRabin Arafat Clinton 370(photo credit: Reuters)
They are coming from Oslo – to apologize for “Oslo.” A group of more than 20 Christian leaders from Norway will be coming to the Knesset on Wednesday to ask for forgiveness for the diplomatic process between Israel and the Palestinians that began in their capital.The group will be delivering an apology for the Oslo Accords, which passed in 1993 and 1995, to Deputy Knesset Speaker Gila Gamliel (Likud), the co-chair of the Knesset’s Christian Allies Caucus and a vigorous opponent of the accords from the start. They will also apologize for other policies of their government.“Forgive us Israel as a nation for the Oslo Agreement dividing up the Land of Israel, for the money from Norway ending up supporting terrorist organizations, for not moving our embassy from Tel Aviv to Israel’s eternal undivided capital Jerusalem, for not standing up to defend Israel in a world with increasing hostility, and for the anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist attitude of politicians and media in Norway,” the apology says.The apology also asks forgiveness for Norway hindering Jews from entering the country until 1851, for sending Jews to Nazi death camps during the Holocaust, and for rejecting Jews who sought to come to Norway after the war.“We hope to do what we can to rectify mistakes,” said Pastor Terje Ligerod, head of the delegation.“Apologizing for the Oslo Accords is important, because the Land of Israel belongs to the Jews according to the Bible. Norway was wrong to be a part of dividing the land. [The Accords] have not been a step to peace. We have to acknowledge that Norway has had a role in what has unfortunately happened.”The group hopes to change attitudes back home by coming to Jerusalem.That was why they contacted the Christian Allies Caucus and will be meeting with Gamliel.“The awakening on the Oslo Accords has occurred not just in Israel, but also among people around the world who care about Israel and the Jewish people,” Gamliel said. “I am not surprised by their apology. I hope that more Europeans realize that they made a mistake by supporting an impossible division of the land, and innocently providing funding that ended up going to terrorist groups.”The caucus has MKs for and against dividing the Land of Israel. Besides Gamliel, the group from Norway will also be meeting with Yesh Atid MK Dov Lipman, a member of the caucus whose party supports the creation of a Palestinian state.
“People of faith are coming together around the world in support of Israel through various political initiatives,” said caucus director Josh Reinstein.“The linchpin of Israel’s diplomatic efforts is faith-based diplomacy.”
