00:03Hello and welcome to Euronews' fact-checking show, The Cube.
00:07Norway has experienced what authorities have described as the largest residential fire in modern Norwegian history,
00:13with more than 100 homes destroyed and hundreds of people forced to evacuate.
00:17Since the fire broke out on the 17th of July, several posts online have tried to link the blaze to
00:22a decision by the Norwegian government.
00:24Some claim that the fire started just two days after Norway voted to ban trade, an investment linked to illegal
00:31Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
00:33But this is misleading. Norway has not voted to ban imports from Israeli settlements.
00:38The last time the Norwegian government addressed the issue was on the 19th of June,
00:42when it announced a proposal for legislation that would ban trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
00:48In a press release, the government made clear that the proposal was put out for public consultation,
00:53which is open until the 19th of September, 2026.
00:56So, the measure is not yet low and has not been adopted by Parliament.
01:00The only measures Norway has taken in relation to Israeli settlements are sanctions and other measures targeting violent settlers in
01:07the West Bank,
01:08announced on the 9th of June.
01:09As for the cause of the fire, police say they have identified where it started but have not yet released
01:14information about what caused it,
01:16though dry conditions may have helped the fire spread quickly.
01:19They say it will take time to establish what happened, partly because of the forenseeing examinations being carried out at
01:26the scene.
01:26Police also said that they currently do not suspect that a criminal act has taken place.
01:31One person has been given suspect status, allowing that individual's interest to be safeguarded,
01:36such as their right to a defense lawyer, as the investigation continues.
01:40After almost five days of firefighting operations, the fire service said that the blaze was under control
01:46and no residents have been reported missing.
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