Activists protest outside Nammo facilities in Norway over alleged arms sales to Israel

Palestinian activists have staged a demonstration outside the facilities of Nammo, a weapons manufacturer they accuse of selling arms and weapon components to Israel. This is not the first instance of protest at Nammo; activists also demonstrated in December 2023. Nammo, which is partially owned by the Norwegian state, has denied selling weapons to Israel, asserting that any arms were sold to the U.S. military nearly a decade ago.

On Thursday morning, dozens of activists gathered outside Nammo’s premises, with police present. Activist Thomassen expressed, “We are chaining ourselves in protest against Nammo and Norway’s complicity in the genocide in Gaza.”

Demonstrators claim that weaponry from this partially Norwegian-owned company is used in Israel’s military actions. In response, Nammo’s Thorstein Korsvold stated, “The activists must have come to the wrong address, for they are protesting against something that is not happening,” emphasizing that the company does not collaborate with Israel.

The Palestinian Committee demands that Nammo cease all sales of weapons that could aid Israel in its military actions against Palestinians and insists that Norwegian export regulations should apply to Norwegian-owned factories abroad.

Activists set up blockades outside the factory gates, with some chaining themselves to restrict employee access. They contend that Norwegian weapon components are exported to Israel through Nammo’s subsidiaries, calling Norway a “genocide profiteer.”

The situation in the Middle East remains tense, given the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas that has escalated since October 7, 2023. The recent violence has resulted in thousands of casualties on both sides, highlighting the pressing nature of the activists’ protests and demands.