In a reaction to the horrible articles in the Jerusalem Post, I sent them a letter to the editor – but as I don’t expect them to print it, I publish it here as well, with a few cosmetic changes:
Sir, – I have read your article by Maya Spitzer on Norwegian anti-semitism. Her article makes me very sad, as it seems to be a pure propaganda piece, full of falsehoods. Its most egregious fault is the claim that the Norwegian Finance Minister Kristin Halvorsen should have walked in a demonstration shouting “Death to the Jews!” This is reminiscent of Iranian anti-Jewish propaganda claims more than serious journalism. Not only was she not present in any demonstrations that turned violent, but she would never have shouted such a thing. I know, because I was present at several of the mentioned demonstrations myself, and I am also a member of the same party as her – the Socialist Left Party.

Most Norwegians want peace in the Middle East, and a two-state solution for Israel and Palestinians. Most Norwegians have always supported the right of Israel to exist and have fought vehemently against anti-Semitic attitudes. But most Norwegians have also been highly critical of the way in which your nation’s government has chosen to defend itself and the way in which your country oppresses the Palestinian populace. Some of the policies pursued, such as the building of the wall, allowing settlers to occupy Palestinian territory and refusing Palestinians entry into Israelian territory to work and get supplies, seem reminiscent of apartheid policies and policies from authoritarian dictatorships, more than the acts of a democratic government.

Confusing anti-Semitism and opposition to Israeli government policies is counter-productive. Instead of publishing ill-researched propaganda
pieces, you should make it possible for us to join forces in combating anti-Semitism and working for peace. There are anti-Semitic currents
also in Norwegian society; there were scary instances of angry youths becoming violent in the aftermath of the Gaza demonstrations. Much of
this aggression was displayed by young children of Muslim immigrants, and was directed more at Norwegian society than at Israel. But
anti-Semitic attitudes helped legitimize some of it. This is a development we need to counter, and which was condemned by Norwegian media, pundits, politicians, Jews, Muslim leaders and the population in general.

Your piece does nothing but incite hatred. It makes it more difficult to advocate moderation and a nuanced approach to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. It should never have been published, and I hope you publish a retraction of the lies and undocumented claims in it. 

 

Kind regards,

Christer Gulbrandsen,

Oslo