“We must not sleep!” writes Michal Rachel Suissa about the disheartening HL report on anti-Semitism in Norway. Those who actually have the power to improve the situation for our small Jewish minority appear to be sleeping soundly.
On 1 June, Michal Rachel Suissa published a commentary on the new HL report, Jewish Life and Antisemitism in Norway.
Suissa writes that the report sheds light on the shared responsibility of politicians and the media for the disturbing rise in anti-Semitism and its growing acceptance within Norwegian society.
She highlights in particular a statement by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Bjørnar Skjæran as an example of what she sees as a lack of willingness to take political responsibility. Skjæran said, among other things:
It is serious that Jews in Norway experience insecurity and a sense of standing alone. I am especially concerned that Jewish schoolchildren are so vulnerable. We all have a responsibility to counter anti-Semitism. This is a responsibility that belongs to society as a whole.
It is precisely this type of reaction, with its vague “we”, that the report addresses in the chapter “Absence of Public Support”, Suissa writes. Read more about the remarkable report here.
The very worst betrayal
The absence of public condolences after 7 October carries great symbolic significance for most of the interviewees. It is described as a major reason for diminished trust in wider society and a stronger sense of exclusion. Several refer to it as “the very worst betrayal” and something they “can never forgive”.
Suissa emphasises that when the minister chooses to speak about “concern” and a vague “we all” instead of concrete measures, he demonstrates precisely what Jews miss most. They remain shaken that the majority of today’s politicians have stayed silent regarding Trondheim University (NTNU) Professor Bassam Hussein’s praise of the Hamas terror attack of 7 October.
And this scandalous and outrageous silence continues. Only one major newspaper in Norway published an article about the HL report, with a headline and image that could actually have reached the front page.
But there is no reason to send “well done” messages. Norwegian broadsheet Aftenposten confined itself to a short Norwegian News Agency (NTB) item of fewer than 250 words about the 54-page report.
Nor is the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development any better. It posted a brief press release on regjeringen.no that says virtually nothing.
Well done, Sunnmørsposten, but …
I have conducted several searches. Framtida and TV 2 published short news items. Sunnmørsposten ran an editorial, but lost its footing already in the introduction:
– Anti-Semitism does not always come marching with swastikas, slogans, and threats …
Nevertheless, they deserve an honourable mention, the Norwegian journalism equivalent of a participation certificate.
But why must they include the obligatory reservation:
– It is entirely possible to criticise Israel’s conduct of the war, defend Palestinian rights, and at the same time stand uncompromisingly against anti-Semitism?
Is it really necessary to say this every time one writes about the appalling situation of Jews in Norway? It seems like a mandatory ritual, an assurance that one still stands on the correct side.
But again: Honorable mention goes to Sunnmørsposten, as they say at the Oscars.
NRK the worst offender
NRK is, however, the worst offender. I cannot find a single mention of the report on the state broadcaster.
This is the state broadcaster’s timeline for Jews in Norway. The top story is from 7 April and the next from 25 December last year. The story in the lower-right corner is from 2017, as is Erna Solberg’s speech.
Yet another scandalous silence surrounding the dramatic situation facing Jews in Norway. This once again confirms that our country ranks among the most anti-Semitic in Europe.
International media and organisations have, however, covered the story, mainly Jewish newspapers. They have published detailed and heartbreaking reports on the HL report. One example is this article in The Jerusalem Post.
Removed the Star of David in the maternity ward
In addition, Ynet, The Algemeiner, the Action and Protection League of Belgium, and others have covered the report. Not least ILTV Israel, which reaches millions of viewers.
Here at home in Norway, many Jews confirm the contents of the report. On ILTV’s Instagram, one person writes:
– I live in Norway. I can fully confirm this. No one at my workplace, a state primary school, knows that I am Jewish. No one knows about my Instagram account or my Facebook page.
He says that he was forced to block former colleagues who sent him anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian messages. Some of them were sent to him privately.
– People whom I believed were friendly in previous jobs became my enemies, and some made that very clear to me.
Another writes:
– Yes, unfortunately it is true. I removed my Star of David necklace before entering the maternity ward of a Norwegian hospital, out of fear.
“We Must Not Sleep!” Michal Rachel Suissa writes in conclusion. We are not sleeping, nor is Michal from the Centre Against Antisemitism.
But those who actually have the power to improve the situation for our small Jewish minority appear to be sleeping soundly.
I will contact NRK, NTB, and politicians, including Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Bjørnar Skjæran. I remind readers not to sit and wait in eager anticipation of a reply.
But we will never give up the struggle to improve everyday life for our Jewish friends and neighbours.