Conflict in the Middle East - Iceland's response

Iceland's response in relation to the conflict between Israel and Hamas

Parliamentary resolution 522/154, approved by Alþingi on 9 November 2023 epitomises Iceland's position with regard to the conflict between Israel and the terrorist organisation Hamas. The resolution reads as follows:

„Alþingi concludes that an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip should be established in order to guarantee the safety of civilians, both Palestinian and Israeli. Alþingi condemns all acts of violence directed against civilians in Palestine and Israel. Alþingi demands that international law be upheld for humanitarian reasons, for the safety of civilians and for the protection of civilian infrastructure.

Alþingi condemns the terrorist attack by Hamas on civilians in Israel on October 7, 2023. Alþingi also condemns all subsequent actions of the Israeli government in violation of international humanitarian law, including untold suffering, loss of life, civilian casualties and destruction of civilian infrastructure. It is critical that all violations of international law by the warring parties be fully investigated.

Alþingi calls for humane treatment and immediate release of hostages, access of humanitarian organisations, and the immediate provision of emergency aid and medical assistance for civilians.

Alþingi instructs the government to advocate additional funding for humanitarian assistance and an investigation of violations of international law in order to follow up on the priorities laid out in this resolution.“

Action undertaken

Iceland recognized the independence and sovereignty of Palestine on 29 November 2011 and has advocated for a peaceful settlement based upon the two-state solution and respect for international law and international humanitarian law.

The Government of Iceland condemned the Hamas terrorist attack of 7 October 2023 and has repeatedly called for the release of all hostages.

At the Tenth Emergency Special Session on Palestine held in the United Nations General Assembly on 12 December 2023 Iceland voted for and was a co-sponsor of the resolution that called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on humanitarian grounds, underlined the importance of respect for international law, the need to safeguard civilians from harm, the immediate release of hostages and unimpeded humanitarian aid.

Iceland has repeatedly condemned settlement activities in the West Bank and in line with the ruling of the International Court of Justice in 2024 has called on Israel to immediately cease all settlement activity.

Iceland supported and voted for the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 May 2024 that upgraded Palestine’s rights at the United Nations as an observer State, urging the Security Council to favourably consider its full membership.

Iceland supports the work of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution which came into being in New York in September 2024.

In a joint Nordic Statement on 22 October 2024 Iceland expressed deep concern by the introduction of draft legal bills in the Israeli Knesset that, if adopted, would prevent the UNRWA from continuing its operations. Iceland condemned the legislation once it had been adopted. Iceland´s Permanent Representative to the United Nations spoke further on the topic on behalf of the Nordic five nations at the General Assembly on 6 November 2024.

Iceland supported Norway´s initiative in the General Assembly, a resolution adopted on 19 December 2024, that requested an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the obligations of Israel in relation to the presence and activities of the United Nations, other international organizations and third states in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. Subsequently, Iceland in February 2025 submitted a written statement to the Court to inform its work on the subject. This was the first time Iceland had ever submitted such a statement alone (previous cases involved joining a group of states submitting a written statement).

Iceland was among 105 states that in October 2024 expressed deep concern with and condemnation for the decision of the Israeli Minister for Foreign Affairs to declare the Secretary-General of the United Nations persona non grata in Israel.

Iceland took a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council on 1 January 2025 and in the 58th session of the Council, February through to April, took the floor numerous times to outline the policies of the Government of Iceland. The Minister for Foreign Affairs also discussed the Middle East in her address to the Human Rights Council. The Minister further expressed shock on social media when the ceasefire in Gaza ended on 18 March and also when humanitarian workers were attacked that same month.

Iceland provides humanitarian funding to UNRWA, OCHA oPt Humanitarian Fund, UN Women and UNICEF. Iceland has also annually supported the work of the Palestinian Medical Relief Society and Women´s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling.

Humanitarian support

Iceland has allocated additional 225 million ISK in response to the United Nations emergency response in Gaza. Iceland’s contributions have been channeled through the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), one of Iceland’s long-standing humanitarian partners and the lead UN agency mandated with supporting Palestinian refugees. These additional contributions to UNRWA place Iceland among the Agency’s highest contributing countries per capita this year.