The report highlights a concerning blur between political criticism and antisemitism, with 51% of respondents comparing Israel's treatment of Palestinians to Nazi atrocities. Notable anti-Israel actions include the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund's divestment from Israeli companies.
Far-right and far-left groups, including the Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM), Socialist Youth, and the Rødt Party, have been identified as key sources of anti-Israel sentiment. Social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook have seen a significant uptick in hate responses targeting both Jews and Muslims.
"The Jewish community in Norway is experiencing heightened hostility, including physical threats and daily harassment," says Rabbi Joav Melchior of Oslo. "We're calling on Norwegian authorities to increase awareness of antisemitism and take practical steps to eliminate this phenomenon."
Avi Cohen-Scali, Director General of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combat Against Antisemitism, emphasized the broader implications: "Antisemitism isn't just a Jewish community problem—it's a global issue that undermines the fundamental values of free and democratic society. We need urgent action to strengthen enforcement against hate crimes and enhance cooperation between government, education, and security agencies to ensure the Jewish community's safety."
