Israel’s embassy, through chargé d’affaires Eytan Halon, has written a letter to Rector Tor Grande at NTNU, asking the university in Trondheim to “prevent students from being negatively influenced by staff members who have shown and continue to give clear and vocal support to terrorism.” This follows NTNU Professor Bassam Hussein having referred to the 7 October terror attack in Israel as “the most beautiful thing that has happened in our century”.
Professor Bassam Hussein’s statement that terror can be beautiful took place at the House of Literature (Litteraturhuset) in Trondheim on 21 April, and the organiser was Socialist Forum (Sosialistisk Forum). Document was the first media outlet to uncover the statements, which have since attracted major attention, and which eventually received further media coverage both domestically and abroad.
– And then we come to 7 October. [The] most beautiful thing that has happened in our century, said Hussein, who originally comes from Gaza.
He believes 7 October demonstrated that “Israeli superiority” is merely a myth, and that Hamas’ terror massacres were “a needle in the backside” of the Israeli “dragon”.
– 7 October has shown that no matter how strong you are, you have vulnerabilities. And an intelligent, smart, Palestinian military leader, with 400 people, can actually hurt you tremendously, said Hussein, who was introduced as a professor at the meeting, which also had Pål Steigan on the guest list and which was supported by Fritt Ord.
NTNU-professor om 7. oktober-pogromen: – Vakreste som har skjedd
Letter from Israel’s embassy to the NTNU rector
Both the Jerusalem Post and All Israel News have written about the professor from NTNU and his statements that terror against Israelis is beautiful, beautiful. Now Israel’s embassy in Norway is also reacting. Chargé d’affaires Eytan Halon has sent a letter to the rector at NTNU, opening with “Dear NTNU Rector Prof. Tor Grande”, and stating that he was recently made aware of statements by NTNU employee Prof. Bassam Hussein. The letter is reproduced by podcaster Henrik Beckheim, in its entirety on Facebook. And in his translation it reads:
“When speaking about the horrific massacre carried out by Hamas on 7 October 2023, Prof. Hussein described the attack as ‘the most beautiful thing that has happened in our century’. These statements represent an unacceptable glorification of terror and a celebration of the worst attack on Jews since the end of the Holocaust.
I am certain that you share my view that NTNU has a responsibility to prevent students from being negatively influenced by staff members who have shown and continue to give clear and vocal support to terrorism.
Furthermore, I am deeply concerned for NTNU students of Jewish faith. The rapid increase in antisemitism worldwide in recent years has demonstrated the direct connection between the glorification of terror and acts of violence against Jews.
Therefore, guaranteeing the safety of NTNU’s Jewish students should be of the very highest priority. Ensuring their safety naturally includes providing a safe space for education, and one which regards open support for the massacre of innocent Jews as strictly unacceptable.
As rector of Norway’s largest university, and as leader of Universities Norway and the Nordic University Association, I urge you to act to protect your students from the spread of support for terror and its glorification by senior staff members.
When rhetoric can rapidly lead to action, I believe that the university leadership must also demonstrate zero tolerance and implement immediate disciplinary measures in matters concerning support for and glorification of terror.
The pioneering academic and research achievements at NTNU are recognised globally, including in Israel. Universities are also judged by their ability to safeguard and ensure safety for their students, especially in times of increasing tensions.
Therefore, we must not view the case in question within the framework of legitimate campus debate concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but rather as a need to protect students from being threatened on campus and from increasing support for terror and violence at the university.
I look forward to your cooperation and action in this matter.”
Beckheim hopes for a response from the rector
Beckheim added: “What is your response to this, Rector Tor Grande? You are welcome on my podcast to answer”.
Late on Tuesday evening Beckheim had not posted any indication of a reply from Rector Grande, but many had commented on Beckheim’s sharing of the letter. The vast majority positively, but the comment from Kari Jaquesson stood out from the crowd with a highly critical view of the Israel “case”.
Socialist Forum in Trondheim has posted a video from the meeting with the controversial statements on YouTube, under the headline “Pål Steigan and Bassam Hussein lecture on the war against Iran and its significance for Europe and Palestine.” Steigan speaks first, thereafter Hussein. The latter is presented as a professor, and the organiser states that the event at the House of Literature was supported by Fritt Ord.