Norway has issued visas to six Palestinian theatre students from the Freedom Theater in the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, after the Immigration and Naturalization Service (UDI) initially rejected them last week.

During the same period, three fellow students with Israeli passports were allowed to enter Norway without a visa, Schengen.News reports.

In addition, several Norwegian cultural actors have invited six Palestinian students for a Norwegian tour, during which they will participate in various artistic collaborations.

In a July 17 statement, the Freedom Theatre said the rejection came after their Norwegian partners Nordic Black Theatre, Karlsøyfestivalen, CrotoniX, Propellen teater and Motforjesninger filed an official complaint with Norwegian authorities.

This unjust action undermines Norway’s core principles of freedom of expression. It deprives Norwegian audiences of the opportunity to experience diverse and enriching performances and hear first-hand the experiences of young artists from Palestine.

Nordic Black Theater has been working with The Freedom Theater for years. They came to Norway within a week because of their long school collaboration with the Palestinian theater group.

Freedom Theater and Nordic Black Theater strongly condemn decision to deny visas to Palestinian students

After many complaints, Freedom Theatre, Nordic Black Theatre, Karlsøyfestivalen, CrotonicX and Motforsijninger have issued a statement strongly condemning the denial of visas to six young Palestinian artists. The statement states that students from The Freedom Theatre’s professional acting school were scheduled to tour Norway for a month this summer.

This is a stark reminder of imposed limits, deferred dreams, and the struggle to amplify our voices amidst chaos—a new darkness around art and our perseverance, another wall that surrounds us, another closed door. Every moment is a struggle for existence; every breath is a resistance.

Palestinian artists face temporary stay in Norway

The Freedom Theater has endured attacks from Israel and constant international censorship for more than a decade. In December of last year, the Freedom Theater made headlines in Norway when the country’s cultural sector united in horror as the Israeli army ransacked its building in the Jenin camp and took three performers from their homes at gunpoint.

Palestinian artists have been facing visa rejections in several Western countries, including Norway, for years. After the tour, the students were granted visas that allowed them to stay in Norway for four weeks. Despite being granted, the visa still has restrictions.