Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Norwegian Newspapers Misinterpreting The Jerusalem Post
The big news in Norway today is an article that was published in the Jersualem Post on March 30 and removed shortly thereafter. The title of the article was "Norway: Increased anti-Semitism has local Jews anxious" (available for a short time through this link as it was cached by Google), and focused on the Anti-Israel and anti-Semitic sentiment that have exploded in Norway.
While the article by Maya Spitzer focuses on a wide range of issues and examples of recent anti-Semitism in Norway, the Norwegian papers are focusing exclusively on the following paragraph:
"During the war, Olso was fraught with violent anti-Israel demonstrations. Numerous government officials decried Israel's actions in Gaza - including Minister of Finance Kristin Halvorsen, who led a march shouting, "Death to the Jews!" Norwegian doctor Mads Gilbert, who worked in Gaza and disseminated stories about Israel's brutality, became a national hero in the Norwegian media".
It is the first sentence that is the subject of discussion, basically as it can be interpreted that Finance Minister Halvorsen herself shouted "Death to the Jews". While Kristin Halvorsen represents a political party that has an intense hatred of Israel (due to a mixture of anti-colonialism and anti-Semitism), the Socialist Left Party, Ms. Halvorsen never shouted racist slogans. However, the anti-Israeli demonstration on January 10, 2009, had a strong Anti-semitic element. In the picture, Kristin Halvorsen (the blonde woman in the left of the picture) is posing next to a poster saying "USA and Israel the biggest axis of evil". Your head needs to pretty messed up to think that the USA and Israel are more "evil" than countries like Saudi-Arabia, Iran, North-Korea, to take just a few examples.
The demonstration led by Finance Minister Halvorsen ultimately culminated in an attack on the Israeli embassy, after which 100 individuals were arrested (almost all have later been released due to Norway's broken judicial system). Please enjoy a video from the January 10 demonstration below (consider it a Norwegian version of the Planet of the Apes):
Ironically, when the conflict in Sri-Lanka erupted shortly thereafter, despite a much higher civilian toll it was ignored by both the Norwegian media and people. Of the hundreds of countries in the world, the only nation that the Socialist Left Party wants to boycott is Israel.
By the way, for a good laughter, check out Kristin Halvorsen's background to see what it takes to become finance minister in Norway:
"After taking some university courses in pedagogy (1,5 years) and criminology (1 year) without receiving a degree, Halvorsen worked for a while as a legal secretary".
That is it. That is all. Then again, thanks to its oil revenue, Norway could probably install a real monkey as finance minister (not just a human version) and still do ok.
Dagbladet has three articles on this story: 1, 2, 3. VG has also covered the story.
While the article by Maya Spitzer focuses on a wide range of issues and examples of recent anti-Semitism in Norway, the Norwegian papers are focusing exclusively on the following paragraph:
"During the war, Olso was fraught with violent anti-Israel demonstrations. Numerous government officials decried Israel's actions in Gaza - including Minister of Finance Kristin Halvorsen, who led a march shouting, "Death to the Jews!" Norwegian doctor Mads Gilbert, who worked in Gaza and disseminated stories about Israel's brutality, became a national hero in the Norwegian media".
It is the first sentence that is the subject of discussion, basically as it can be interpreted that Finance Minister Halvorsen herself shouted "Death to the Jews". While Kristin Halvorsen represents a political party that has an intense hatred of Israel (due to a mixture of anti-colonialism and anti-Semitism), the Socialist Left Party, Ms. Halvorsen never shouted racist slogans. However, the anti-Israeli demonstration on January 10, 2009, had a strong Anti-semitic element. In the picture, Kristin Halvorsen (the blonde woman in the left of the picture) is posing next to a poster saying "USA and Israel the biggest axis of evil". Your head needs to pretty messed up to think that the USA and Israel are more "evil" than countries like Saudi-Arabia, Iran, North-Korea, to take just a few examples.The demonstration led by Finance Minister Halvorsen ultimately culminated in an attack on the Israeli embassy, after which 100 individuals were arrested (almost all have later been released due to Norway's broken judicial system). Please enjoy a video from the January 10 demonstration below (consider it a Norwegian version of the Planet of the Apes):
Ironically, when the conflict in Sri-Lanka erupted shortly thereafter, despite a much higher civilian toll it was ignored by both the Norwegian media and people. Of the hundreds of countries in the world, the only nation that the Socialist Left Party wants to boycott is Israel.
By the way, for a good laughter, check out Kristin Halvorsen's background to see what it takes to become finance minister in Norway:
"After taking some university courses in pedagogy (1,5 years) and criminology (1 year) without receiving a degree, Halvorsen worked for a while as a legal secretary".
That is it. That is all. Then again, thanks to its oil revenue, Norway could probably install a real monkey as finance minister (not just a human version) and still do ok.
Dagbladet has three articles on this story: 1, 2, 3. VG has also covered the story.
Labels: anti-semitism, jerusalem post, kristin halvorsen, norway
Comments:
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To be critical of Israels policy regarding the Palestinians, and to be an anti - semite are two different things. The biggest problem in the public debate is that any critizism of the sovereign state Israel, is construed as antisemitical.
Anti semitism is being anti jewish just because you are. Blaming jews for events past and present without any factual basis. Basically just hating them without any real reason.
I cannot see how Halvorsens Social Left Party can be called antisemitical, the Social Left Party is against all military conflicts, they have voiciferously objected to both terror - attacks and states that have conducted military operations since their inception in 1965.
I do not see public opinion in Norway as antisemitical. However, norwegians are very critical to the policy Israel is pursuing in the occupied territories. But this does not make us antisemites.
To us, who live in a free country where everyone has basic human rights the treatment of the humans who live in the West Bank and Gaza are reminicent of apartheid.
But believing that people should be treated fairly wherever they live is not antisemitic.
I question the objectives behind labelling all critical voices in such a manner.
Anti semitism is being anti jewish just because you are. Blaming jews for events past and present without any factual basis. Basically just hating them without any real reason.
I cannot see how Halvorsens Social Left Party can be called antisemitical, the Social Left Party is against all military conflicts, they have voiciferously objected to both terror - attacks and states that have conducted military operations since their inception in 1965.
I do not see public opinion in Norway as antisemitical. However, norwegians are very critical to the policy Israel is pursuing in the occupied territories. But this does not make us antisemites.
To us, who live in a free country where everyone has basic human rights the treatment of the humans who live in the West Bank and Gaza are reminicent of apartheid.
But believing that people should be treated fairly wherever they live is not antisemitic.
I question the objectives behind labelling all critical voices in such a manner.
Being critical of Israel is obviously not the same as being anti-Semitic. It is possible to be one without being the other.
However, it can be construed as anti-Semitism when Israel is held to completely different standards than other countries.
As The Economist recently stated:
"Some of the hypocrisy in the Arab world is unspeakable. Syria, for example, is one country to accuse Israel of “genocide”. But in 1982, when Syria’s own Muslim Brotherhood rebelled in the Syrian city of Hama, the regime responded by shelling the city indiscriminately for three weeks, killing about 20,000 or 30,000 civilians. In Gaza Israel has killed 1,000 people. It is not playing by Hama rules, let alone committing genocide. Russia’s onslaught on the Chechen city of Grozny in the mid-1990s is reckoned to have killed some 20,000 civilians. As for Hamas itself, it deliberately murdered hundreds of Israeli civilians in buses and restaurants in the intifada of 2001-03".
I believe the focus in Norway on Israel is greatly disproportionate compared with other human rights issues around the world. There have been violent attacks on Jews in Norway (or more accurately people who have been assumed to be Jewish) as well as attacks on the Israeli embassy. Kristin Halvorsen has even supported a boycott of Israel (http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1136361021123&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull).
Unfortunately, I do not think the publich mood on Israel in Norway is fueled simply by a general interest in human rights issues and/or international law.
However, it can be construed as anti-Semitism when Israel is held to completely different standards than other countries.
As The Economist recently stated:
"Some of the hypocrisy in the Arab world is unspeakable. Syria, for example, is one country to accuse Israel of “genocide”. But in 1982, when Syria’s own Muslim Brotherhood rebelled in the Syrian city of Hama, the regime responded by shelling the city indiscriminately for three weeks, killing about 20,000 or 30,000 civilians. In Gaza Israel has killed 1,000 people. It is not playing by Hama rules, let alone committing genocide. Russia’s onslaught on the Chechen city of Grozny in the mid-1990s is reckoned to have killed some 20,000 civilians. As for Hamas itself, it deliberately murdered hundreds of Israeli civilians in buses and restaurants in the intifada of 2001-03".
I believe the focus in Norway on Israel is greatly disproportionate compared with other human rights issues around the world. There have been violent attacks on Jews in Norway (or more accurately people who have been assumed to be Jewish) as well as attacks on the Israeli embassy. Kristin Halvorsen has even supported a boycott of Israel (http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1136361021123&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull).
Unfortunately, I do not think the publich mood on Israel in Norway is fueled simply by a general interest in human rights issues and/or international law.
I don't believe your views on Norwegian public opinion is factual.
It is true that Hamas has comitted atrocities. It is true that Russian and the former Sovjet government is responsible for millions of deaths.
But it is also true that Israel has never tried to make peace or negotiate on fair terms with the palestinians.
According to international law the 1948 borders should still apply.
Settlements in occupied territories is illegal, there are over 1 million Israelis living inside the West Bank.
The UN advocated a two - state solution back in 1948, Israel accepted the settlement and used it for expantionist policies.
There are so many human right
abuses in the world that taking an equal interest in all of them would be impossible. You don't mention the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan for instance. This is an area of the world where Norway is heavily involved politically.
Norway has been pro - Israeli for many years. We have given several Israeli leaders the Nobel peace prize. And we also gave Israel the heavy water which enabled them to make their nuclear weapons. We have also refrained from critizising the wrongful detention (house arrest, cannot leave the country) of Mordechai Vanunu.
This former support gives us moral authority to critize. When your former partners in international affairs speak up, one we wise to listen.
It is true that Hamas has comitted atrocities. It is true that Russian and the former Sovjet government is responsible for millions of deaths.
But it is also true that Israel has never tried to make peace or negotiate on fair terms with the palestinians.
According to international law the 1948 borders should still apply.
Settlements in occupied territories is illegal, there are over 1 million Israelis living inside the West Bank.
The UN advocated a two - state solution back in 1948, Israel accepted the settlement and used it for expantionist policies.
There are so many human right
abuses in the world that taking an equal interest in all of them would be impossible. You don't mention the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan for instance. This is an area of the world where Norway is heavily involved politically.
Norway has been pro - Israeli for many years. We have given several Israeli leaders the Nobel peace prize. And we also gave Israel the heavy water which enabled them to make their nuclear weapons. We have also refrained from critizising the wrongful detention (house arrest, cannot leave the country) of Mordechai Vanunu.
This former support gives us moral authority to critize. When your former partners in international affairs speak up, one we wise to listen.
You are obviously just another talking head who doesn't mind giving false information to the world. Halvorsen did NOT lead any demonstration against Israels war on Gaza. There is NOT a general anti-semitic sentiment in Norway. Halvorsen is actually handling the financial crisis in a manner wich both business and political opponents has labeled solid and clever. Speak the truth or STFU!
# posted by 
: 4:13 AM
: 4:13 AM
The article "Norwegian Newspapers Misinterpreting The Jerusalem Post" is racist. Example: "consider it a Norwegian version of the Planet of the Apes". Example 2: "Norway could probably install a real monkey as finance minister (not just a human version) and still do ok".
And the sentence: "100 individuals were arrested (almost all have later been released due to Norway's broken judicial system)" just shows what kind of society you would like: A society where it is illegal to voice a critical opinion against Israel. We believe in freedom of speech, which is why moslems are burning our flags and Israeli newspapers print blatant lies about us.
And the sentence: "100 individuals were arrested (almost all have later been released due to Norway's broken judicial system)" just shows what kind of society you would like: A society where it is illegal to voice a critical opinion against Israel. We believe in freedom of speech, which is why moslems are burning our flags and Israeli newspapers print blatant lies about us.
# posted by : 4:08 PM
: 4:08 PM
The article obviously is not racist. The "Planet of the Apes" comment refers to the thugs and idiots that vandalized Oslo (as shown in the separate videos I have posted). These individuals represented a variety of ethnicities, including many native Norwegians, so comparing them to monkeys certainly is not racist. The comparison is perhaps slightly offensive to monkeys, but otherwise I do not see any problems with it.
Also, comparing politicians to monkeys is quite common and sometimes even appropriate. For example, no one in Norway reacted at the many drawings comparing President Bush with a monkey.
Also, comparing politicians to monkeys is quite common and sometimes even appropriate. For example, no one in Norway reacted at the many drawings comparing President Bush with a monkey.
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