Trove of documents reveal Norwegian top-diplomats Mona Juul and her husband Terje Rod-Larsen had strong connections to the late sex offender
Norway has always lauded itself for its role in international diplomacy, most notably for its facilitating of the Oslo Accords signed by Israel and the Palestinians in 1993.
That image was based on its self-created reputation for diplomatic neutrality and impartiality, but recent revelations in the trove of files released related to the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein cast serious doubts on that narrative.
Mona Juul and her husband Terje Rod-Larsen, two significant Norwegian figures involved in the accords, appeared as close contacts of the late billionaire and sexual offender.
The latest disclosures have also drawn renewed attention on documents related to the agreement that have been missing for over 33 years.
The Red Party, a socialist political party in Norway, is now demanding that Rod-Larsen and Juul, who served as ambassador to Israel in 2001, hand over the private archives.
Juul most recently was the Norwegian ambassador to Jordan and Iraq until the Epstein scandal forced her suspension and later resignation.
Norwegian police are currently investigating the extent of ties between Juul and Rod-Larsen and Epstein. The pair are facing charges of corruption and complicity.
Epstein is widely understood to have worked as an agent of Israel and was a close confidante of its former prime minister, Ehud Barak.
Bjornar Moxnes, member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence in the Norwegian parliament, and former leader of the Red party, says that Norway’s role in the creation of the Oslo Accords must be investigated given the scandal.
“The roles that the peace brokers were playing needs to be investigated because they have created a romanticised image of the whole process,” Moxnes told Middle East Eye.
“Norway was not a neutral player as they [Juul and Rod-Larsen] have tried to make it look like.” (more...)
Norway’s role in the Oslo Accords questioned after key figures appear in Epstein files
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