Against the backdrop of rising antisemitism and the anti‑Israel policies of the Norwegian government, a Norwegian lawmaker has proposed awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem.
Among the reasons cited are the institution’s role in the fight against antisemitism, its documentation of the Holocaust and its international educational work, especially amid rising antisemitism worldwide since the Hamas-led October 7 terror attacks.
Norwegian lawmaker nominates Yad Vashem for the Nobel Prize
Joel Ystebø, who serves as chairman of the Israel‑Norway Friendship Association, wrote to the Nobel Prize Committee, saying that “Yad Vashem is one of the most significant institutions in the world in the fight against antisemitism, ideologies of hatred and historical distortion. Through Holocaust documentation, extensive research and international educational efforts, the institution helps preserve historical knowledge and strengthens respect for human dignity.”
“Throughout history, antisemitism has proven to be one of the most persistent and destructive forms of hatred. It has not only harmed Jewish communities, but also undermined democratic societies and contributed to violence, terror and wars," the Oslo lawmaker wrote.
"Today, this threat has taken on renewed and dramatic urgency. Following the terror attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, the world has witnessed a significant increase in antisemitic sentiments and actions. Jewish communities in many countries have been affected by terror attacks, violence, threats and systematic harassment, while synagogues, schools and institutions have had to operate under constant security threats.”
Ystebø detailed the importance of Yad Vashem’s work: “At the same time, international research points to a worrying rise in Holocaust denial and Holocaust trivialization. The spread of disinformation and conspiracy theories, especially through digital media, undermines knowledge about the Holocaust and normalizes antisemitic ideas.
"In this landscape, Yad Vashem stands as an essential reference point for truth, knowledge and moral clarity. By educating teachers, researchers, policymakers and young people around the world, Yad Vashem strengthens society’s ability to identify and fight hatred before it escalates to violence. By emphasizing the stories of the victims and of those who chose to resist, the ‘Righteous Among the Nations,’ the institution conveys a message of responsibility, courage and solidarity. This message is a cornerstone for enduring peace.”
Ystebø has emerged as a prominent voice in Norwegian politics, standing out both for his age—just 24—and his firmly ideological stance. He represents the Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti, or KrF), a conservative, center-right faction rooted in the Christian-evangelical community. Traditionally, the KrF has been one of Israel’s most consistent allies in Norwegian politics, often at odds with the more critical positions associated with the country’s left and labor parties.
He is the son of Bjarte Ystebø, a prominent Norwegian journalist and activist who for many years served as editor of the conservative Christian newspaper Norge IDAG. His father also organizes the Oslo Symposium, an annual conference of the pro-Israel Christian right.
Joel Ystebø, who was raised in Norway’s Christian-Zionist milieu, has been an outspoken advocate against antisemitism and efforts to delegitimize Israel. Most recently, he confronted the Norwegian prime minister in parliament over a state-employed Palestinian artist who publicly expressed support for the October 7 Hamas massacre.
The nomination of Yad Vashem to the Nobel Committee in Oslo serves, in part, as a calculated provocation—aimed at confronting the local political establishment and redirecting public discourse from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to the issue of antisemitism.
In recent years, Oslo's leadership has adopted an increasingly adversarial posture toward Israel, including formal recognition of a Palestinian state. Norway today ranks among Israel’s most vocal critics in Europe. Israel currently has no ambassador stationed in Oslo, and the possible closure of its embassy there is under review.
Submitting the nomination ahead of the February 1 deadline ensures the topic will remain in the Norwegian media spotlight in the coming months, at a time when Israel is actively working to reinforce its legitimacy across Europe.