Opinion
The hateful Norway debate
Manfred Gerstenfeld
Published: 28.07.11, 18:01
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98 Talkbacks for this article
1. send him packing
Arn ,   Yehud, Israel   (07.28.11)
The Norweigan ambassador to Israel should be sent packing immediately. He's not a stupid man - only indoctrinated with the same Hitler Youth perception of the Jews that the Norweigan youths were getting at that neo-nazi camp.
2. Ynet Israeli talkbackers seemed joyful
Moise   (07.28.11)
to hear that Norway was a subject of this criminal bombing and terror act. Further more, the terrorist was deeply influenced by Zionist thinkers anti muslim and antisemitism (Arabs are semite). this of course give us an idea of the state of mind of a large segement of Israeli society, and their culture. Good to know!!
3. Thankyou
The Man ,   Canada   (07.28.11)
Thank you for writing an article that makes sense in every regard and comes from having done good research. This is one of the few opinion columns on YNet that is actually worth reading. Many of the other columns dealing with Norway are irresponsibly written and have only served the cause of the Liberal: that anyone besides themselves are extremists which is utter foolishness.
4. Why do you give this foolish man a platform?
Dovid ,   Los Angeles   (07.28.11)
" the worldview of al-Qaeda, which is shared globally by at least 150 million Muslims" Even the most Islamophobic person would not make such a ridiculous statement! It's embarrassing that you allow him to write regularly in your newspaper (along with some other strange individuals like the Israeli woman in Kansas and your Italian oddball).
5. De-Islamization of Europe
Fred ,   New York, USA   (07.28.11)
Would someone tell the Europeans that the only way they can prevent Islamization of Eroupe would be by passing a law that would make it iligal for any family to have more than lets say 2 children. They can even be more specific by limiting the application of the law only to those who have imigrated to Europe after 1945. China has similar law, so why can't they.
6. I love Norway! GB is a real jerk!
ISRAEL   (07.28.11)
7. this killer is a real bigot. those poor kids... RIP
Tami ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (07.28.11)
8. My heart goes out to Norway! this is more than just
Israeli ,   Israel   (07.28.11)
a terror attack. the monster killed kids!!! although it's hard to get the fact that they were boycotting us we in Israel love you and pray for you in Oslo.
9. I commiserate with the Norwegians
Carmel ,   Haifa, Israel   (07.28.11)
Glenn Beck did say some criminal things. and other people who has no compassion. most of the Israelis do have some compassion. we share your sadness and pray for better days for Norway and the world!
10. my deepest simpathy to Norwegians
Roni ,   Haifa, Israel   (07.28.11)
as a person who expirienced terror attack on 2008 I can understand what the family& friends are going through. we are all with you in your sorrow and we all hope that it will never happen ever again to anyone anywhere!
11. conclusion.......
tiki ,   belgium   (07.28.11)
The Norvegion ambassador is an Idiot, like many of his fellow Norvegions, who let themselves being manipulated by the Ultra Left agitaters (their FM is one of them) into believing their 'leathal fairy tales. It's about time Novegians start 'wising up and wake up to realities that this rightist "activist forces them to do. Boycotting Israel and playing Flotilla games won't do the trick.
12. Restrict immigration
Eva Smagacz ,   UK   (07.28.11)
To those who want to restrict immigration - Where will Jews go if Europe and USA will decide against multiculturalism?
13. NAIVE ISRAELIS
DAVID ,   JUDEA   (07.28.11)
No matter how many people here will show empathy, with this terror attack, things will not change. In this well written article, it is clearly pointed out that our Norwegian Liberals are a bunch of Israel haters in the first degree. This incident will only inflame their already existing hatred, look at the so-called ambassador's diplomatic response. It was Ynet itself that posted pictures of this indoctrination and brainwashing camp showing signs calling for a boycott on Israel. They call this guy insane but he is not totally off, by the year 2050 large parts of Europe will be under Islamic law.
14. Norway is an enemy of the Jewish People
Sami ,   New York, USA   (07.28.11)
Norway is an enemy of the Jewish People.
15. Confused of this discussion
Eva H ,   Oslo, Norway   (07.28.11)
Hello, I am a Norwegian woman who are stunned to see these comments. It is so sad, so hateful and so full of rightfulness - so against the ideas of humanity and all that is good. Has all the attacks on Israel turned their people into this ? I hope I am wrong. In Norway we are more united than ever, and we all say in unity : Lets fill the world with love, we have chosen to respond to cruelty with more democracy - more openness- proximity - we have chosen to meet hatred with unity and love. War is always wrong. Always
16. 150 Million Muslims support Al Qaida?
LebanonPride ,   Canada   (07.28.11)
LMAO were did he get this "fact"??
17. YOU are the oddball, DO $4!
Israeli 2   (07.28.11)
18. BOYCOTT NORWAY!!!!!!!
Y ,   N   (07.29.11)
19. #15 Eva H: We know you!
Thomas ,   USA   (07.29.11)
The junior partner in the Norwegian government, the Socialist Left Party of Kristin Halvorsen, (Sosialistisk Venstreparti), plans to vote on a measure calling for military action against Israel if it decides to act against the Hamas. This your official stand, your youth are inculcated to "Boycott Israel" you are now - just like in time of Quisling - the enemy of the Jewish people. Your entire society is wallowing in a blatant antisemitic fervor which is noted by the world press and we know it too.
20. game over
sweeter than honey ,   far away   (07.29.11)
21. @16 and 4
OJ ,   USA   (07.29.11)
actually, the number of 150 million is widely accepted. There are approx. 2.5 billion Muslims and even those who cry "islamaphobia" say it's because the majority of Muslims are moderate and "only 10% of Muslims are extremists." Well, 10% is actually 250 million...well above the number quoted here
22. Another writer ...
berlonski ,   berlin   (07.29.11)
... using this crime and using the victims to push forward his political agenda. Already his second time in a few days. Thanks to the author this hateful debate gets even more hateful! Bashing Norway again, bashing leftists again, bashing Musims again ... In contrast: My deep respect and accomplishments to the Norwegian people who unite in these days across political, religious and ethnic barriers ... while the Gerstenfelds in this world use their grief to keep on playing their political games.
23. #2 Stop twisting the truth.
Tahl   (07.29.11)
You really are some whacked-up piece of work, to distort the facts the way you do. Actually, Israel's reaction to the attack in Norway was very respectful. Our Prime Minister and president sent our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the Norwegian people, our embassy in Oslo lowered its flag, our media criticised this senseless crime and decried the death of the innocent victims, and even the talkbackers showed complete solidarity, as can be seen here too, in comments #6 through #10. I don't see anyone being "joyful", and for you to allege such a thing about the commenters here is the cheapest, most demagogic form of libel. And so is your insinuation that Zionism is somehow to be blamed for this killing spree. In contrast, when terror hit Israel, Norway showed zero sympathy to us, and the predominant sentiment there was that these attacks are justified since they are "resistance". This rationalization of terror is echoed again these days, by Norway's ambassador to Israel who differented between the terror faced by Israel and the one faced by Norway - truly a shameful and insensitive comment. But if your disgusting talkback here represents the mindset of most Norwegians, then all of this is not surprising.
24. I agree: boycott Norway!
G. Fränkl   (07.29.11)
25. Eva #15
Abie Dee ,   New York, U.S   (07.29.11)
Judging from the comments, it appears to me that most are quite saddened by the recent events in Norway. As you know, though, Norway has not been very supportive of Israel as it attempts to defend itself against regimes that are out to destroy it. They would not even allow a respected liberal, Alan Dershowitz, to speak at a university in defense of Israel. Norwegians are peaceful because their neighbors are not out to annihilate them...something that Norwegians cannot truly comprehend.
26. The Norwegian youth camp
Gary Glaser ,   Hutchinson, MN, USA   (07.29.11)
Let me preface my remarks by saying one of my great-grandfathers actually came from Norway, so I do have Norwegian ancestry. However, after reading various accounts of what is going on in these camps, I'd have to agree with Glenn Beck. It certainly sounds to me a lot like a Hitler youth camp. I don't think Quisling was an aberration.
27. I have no sympathy with Norway
sam weinstien ,   USA   (07.29.11)
I have no sympathy with Norway they support terrorism against us why should I give sympathy
28. Ilove norway! and indeed, MORE LOVE is the answer!!!
Liam ,   Israel   (07.29.11)
29. My thoughts and my prayers are with Norway!
Isacc ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (07.29.11)
all we can do is give love, love and more love!
30. Don't be supportive on boycotting anyone!!
Nitzan ,   Israel   (07.29.11)
boycott is like what the nazi's did to the jews in 1933! political- coltural boycott is violence!! we don't want to do it to anybody!!! Peace and Love to Norway!
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