DOES NORWAY HAVE AN ANTI-SEMITIC CULTURAL HERITAGE? - a conversation between Harald Stanghelle and John Arne Moen

The same year that Norway and Denmark parted ways, the two countries chose diametrically different courses when it came to
Jews. In Denmark, they became equal citizens – from Norway they were completely excluded. The Danish
researcher Sofie Lene Bak told the newspaper Politiken earlier this year that Norway has a “deep-rooted
anti-Semitic cultural heritage”.

Norwegian Jews are experiencing a sharp increase in anti-Semitic attitudes and actions after 7/11. October last year.
It ranges from exclusion to physical attacks. Many express disappointment with the Norwegian authorities
and many point to Denmark and the Danish authorities’ clarity when it comes to
address anti-Semitic activities and attitudes. Could it be that Sofie Lene Bak is right when she
claim that Norway has a deep-rooted anti-Semitic cultural heritage? Is anti-Semitism “in the walls” so to speak?

Harald Stanghelle knows the story better than most, and in conversation with chairman John Arne Moen
in the Jewish community in Trondheim, he comments on developments in both the long and short term. The conversation
starts with the relationship with the Norwegian Jewish minority and ends with Norway’s relationship with the state
Israel.

John Arne Moen is the former editor-in-chief of Trønder-Avisa, and is currently chairman of the board of Det Jødiske Samfunn in Trondheim.

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