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Norwegian minister apologises for boycott call

Updated: 08/Jan/2006 17:24

Norway’s finance minister Kristin Halvorsen

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Norway's finance minister Kristin Halvorsen said on Friday night she regrets her call for boycotting Israel.

Halvorsen met a wave of criticism from all political parties in Norway on Wednesday after she said that she support the policy of boycotting Israel.

She called all counties in Norway to follow the decision of the county parliament of Soer Trondelag in Northern Norway, which adapted boycott policy against Israel.

Speaking on Norwegian television, Halvorsen said: "I regret that I supported the initiative to boycott Israel. It was my mistake as a member of government to make a political statement in a way that opposes the policy of the majority of the government".

In an answer to a question whether she was forced to apologize by the prime minister, Halvorsen answered: "No, I am glad that I came to this conclusion all by myself".

Israel officially protested against Halvorsen’s original statement and threatened that it would damage the bilateral relationship between Norway and Israel.

The American ambassador to Oslo officially protested and demanded explanation. Both Norway's Prime Minister Jan Stoltenberg and Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store dismissed categorically any change in Norway's policy towards Israel.

"Boycotting only damages any chance of dialogue"' said foreign minister Gahr-Store.

After the apology was circulated Israeli officials said that they accept.

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