Norway Jews fear Kristallnacht commemoration will be used to focus on Gaza

Jews in Oslo are concerned that a ceremony today commemorating the 87th anniversary of Kristallnacht will focus on the cause of the Palestinian people instead of the pogrom carried out by the Nazis against German Jews on November 9-10, 1938.

The Norwegian torchlight vigil is organized by the nonprofit Center Against Racism, which has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. The event lists several pro-Palestinian groups among its organizers, and the speakers list includes Yonatan Shapira and Mia Habib, members of Jewish Voices for Just Peace, an organization that is highly critical of Israeli policies.

Center Against Racism director Omar Ashraf has said that the event is not antisemitic, and that Jews are invited to attend. The country’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Oslo Mayor Anne Lindboe are scheduled to speak, after shunning a different event organized by the local Jewish community, local media reports.

Oslo Jewish community Rabbi Joav Melchior told broadcaster NRK last week that using this day to criticize Israel shows “a lack of empathy.” Representatives of the local Jewish community have said in a letter to the Center Against Racism that the strong presence of left-wing and anti-Israel organizations is inappropriate and dangerous.