The organization that arranged the Kristallnacht - SOS Rasisme - categorically refute the notion that Jews were prevented from participating in the Kristallnacht march in Oslo two days ago.
The story - as they explain it - is that three "half-brown" extremist groups were banned from participating, among them a newish political party, Demokratene (the Democrats), as well as the organizations Forum mot Islamisering (Forum Against Islamization), and Norsk Israelsenter (Norwegian Israel Center).
As far as I can tell, these three organizations are supportive of Israel and against Islamic influence of (and immigration to) Norway. The synagogue in Oslo expelled two of their members who are part of Norsk Israelsenter because of their affiliation with Demokratene and Forum mot Islamisering.
SOS Rasisme says that the Jewish community in Norway was invited to participated in the march. In a press release, the synagogue board "deplores that representatives from the both the extreme left and right use [the anniversary of Kristallnacht] for political purposes," pointing out that the congregation has chosen to stay away from the march the last few years for this reason.
So, which is it?
It is pretty clear to me that anyone brandishing an Israeli flag would not have admitted to the march, but I am assured that anyone carrying a Palestinian flag wouldn't have been admitted either. SOS Rasisme also claims that there were Jews in the march, though no Jews have admitted doing so.
It is also pretty clear that the main Jewish community in Oslo feels uncomfortable participating in this event, and that should be a matter of serious concern to those arranging it. I have corresponded privately with people involved in this controversy, and it seems pretty clear that being visibly Jewish would not have gone over well among participants, especially if this could be inferred to support Israel. So it seems to me that SOS Rasisme has plenty to be concerned about.
It's too bad that their decision to bar the three organizations has some legitimacy. The Norwegian Association against Antisemitism agrees that a) Demokratene and Forum mot Islamisering are racist, xenophobic organizations, b) Norsk Israelsenter should not associate with them; and c) the three should not have been allowed to participate in the Kristallnacht commemoration.
SOS Rasisme has (rightly) made an attempt to commemorate Kristallnacht as a general protest against bigotry. But they have failed in several important respects:
- They have neglected the point that specifically the Jews were targeted during Kristallnacht; and thereby -
- The peculiar culpability of European society in propagating antisemitism and other bigotry through several millenia;
- Manifestations of bigotry today, across the political spectrum.
As a result, their activism against bigotry is reduced to meaningless cliches that appeals to precisely the people who have no right to be self-righteous. If they were serious about fighting racism, Israeli flags would be welcome in the parade, and there would be signs, inter alia, protesting left-wing and Arab nationalist antisemitism.
Simply amazing.
Of course Norway was deemed to be a "victim nation" at the end of WWII so no attempt was made to effectively DE NAZIFY the place.
It's not too late to start though.
Obviously removing most of the members of Parliament would be a good start.
Posted by: Muawiyah | November 12, 2004 at 08:57 PM
Did they have T.V in 1938?
Posted by: Krista | February 26, 2006 at 01:08 AM