Norway PM to step down; Labor leader expected to take over

If memory serves me correctly, Jonas Gahr Stoere used to be a vocal supporter for Hamas

Your statement is an exaggeration. He publicly opposed Israel's occupation of the Gaza Strip and West Bank as being in violation of international law, and as Foreign Minister recognized Hamas as the legitimate government of Gaza, supporting dialog with Hamas. That is a more nuanced stance than your claim, especially inasmuch as it represented the position of the Norwegian government and not just his personal position. Talking to someone and recognizing they won the election doesn't necessarily imply you are a "vocal supporter". And btw, when did it become some irretrievable crime to criticize the government of Israel for their continued illegal occupation of Gaza and the West Bank? To me anything less is less than a principled position.

@ Desert Tortoise: Thank you for your information, insofar as helping to clarify Hamas versus Norway's stance towards Hamas.

Yet, when asked, And btw, when did it become some irretrievable crime to criticize the government of Israel for their continued illegal occupation of Gaza and the West Bank?

Really? At least as directed towards my comment and question? My memory of his support of Hamas. Versus Fatah, which are the two major competing political parties in that strife-torn country. And the question, about his own current stance towards Palestine and Israel? Considering Norway's past - and likely, current - self-proclaimed interest in the conflict and the region, my comment and question are topical, and has no stated or implied criticism of either political party. Or of Norway, Palestine, or Israel whatsoever. I'll leave any and all of that for a later time of my own choosing.

Corrrected:

@ Desert Tortoise: Thank you for your information, insofar as helping to clarify Stoere's versus Norway's stance towards Hamas.

Yet, when asked, And btw, when did it become some irretrievable crime to criticize the government of Israel for their continued illegal occupation of Gaza and the West Bank?

Really? At least as directed towards my comment and question? My memory of his support of Hamas. Versus Fatah, which are the two major competing political parties in that strife-torn country. And the question, about his own current stance towards Palestine and Israel? Considering Norway's past - and likely, current - self-proclaimed interest in the conflict and the region, my comment and question are topical, and has no stated or implied criticism of either political party. Or of Norway, Palestine, or Israel whatsoever. I'll leave any and all of that for a later time of my own choosing.