Norwegian Jews Alarmed As Kristallnacht Memorial Risks Turning Into Anti-Israel Rally

Jewish leaders in Oslo are voicing concern that Sunday’s event marking the 87th anniversary of Kristallnacht may be used to criticize Israel rather than honor the memory of Jews murdered during the Nazi pogrom of November 9–10, 1938.

The annual torchlight vigil is organized by Norway’s Center Against Racism, a nonprofit that has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Several pro-Palestinian groups are listed as co-organizers, and among the scheduled speakers are Yonatan Shapira and Mia Habib of “Jewish Voices for Just Peace,” an organization known for its anti-Israel stance.

Center Against Racism director Omar Ashraf has denied that the event is antisemitic, saying Jews are welcome to attend. Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Oslo Mayor Anne Lindboe are expected to speak at the ceremony, though both reportedly declined invitations to a separate commemoration organized by the local Jewish community.

Oslo’s Chief Rabbi Joav Melchior told broadcaster NRK last week that using the memorial as a platform to attack Israel shows “a lack of empathy.” In a letter to the Center Against Racism, Jewish community representatives warned that the heavy involvement of left-wing and anti-Israel groups in the event is “inappropriate and dangerous.”