Israeli in Norway's army intelligence collects evidence of anti-semitism & sends it to AIPAC

[MikeWB]

Cap. David Weiss, a Jew in the Norway's military - interview with Jerusalem Post

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite? ... 2FShowFull

Mar 31, 2009 23:33 | Updated Apr 1, 2009 9:26

Norway Jews still tell of tolerance

By HAVIV RETTIG GUR

Israel's Operation Cast Lead in January has sparked a sharp rise in incidents of violence and anti-Semitic statements in Norway that were directed at Israel and the local Jewish community.

In the wake of this experience, some Jews are claiming that anti-Semitism is "a very healthy disease" in the country, and is on the rise.

Other Jews, however, including the titular chief rabbi of Norway, former MK Michael Melchior, and octogenarian holocaust survivor Dr. Imre Hercz, who has lived in Oslo since 1952, say that outside a limited minority of problematic groups, the country is anything but anti-Semitic. In fact, they say, it is a tolerant nation that shouts down the racists within it.

According to Erez Uriely, an Israeli biologist who has lived in Norway since 1992, Jews in Norway "are scared to wear a kippa outside. I'm one of the few who do so. In schools, the word 'Jew' itself is a pejorative term."

In the wake of widespread anti-Israel sentiment he believed washed over Norway at the start of the second Intifada in 2000, Uriely founded the Center Against Anti-Semitism, which records and tries to combat anti-Semitic incidents and trends in the country of 4.6 million.

Yet, though he can recall a run-in when a Muslim man yelled and spat at him in the street after noticing his kippa, Uriely acknowledges that "such incidents are rare. Violence doesn't really exist in Norway. And more often, people go out of their way to be nice to you when they see that you're different."

Though he is exasperated that the local community leadership "doesn't acknowledge the depth of the problem of anti-Semitism," he believes calling attention to anti-Semitic incidents helps bring the Norwegians themselves to correct the problem.

"In my experience, when you raise a concern in Norway - not just about anti-Semitism, also about hospital or other issues - it's corrected quickly. I wish Israel worked so efficiently," he said.

That concern and sense of growing danger, mixed with respect for Norwegian tolerance and the capacity to correct the problem, seems to be shared among Norwegian Jews from very different backgrounds.

Cap. David Weiss, a Norwegian Jew serving in the nation's military since 1988, insists the Jews are in "a very bad condition. If you wear a Star of David around your neck, as I do, you're taking a chance that you will be spat on, or attacked, or have nasty things said to you."

Walking his dog near an anti-Israel demonstration during Operation Cast Lead, demonstrators - Weiss recalls they were Muslim immigrants - shouted and cursed at him. "But they didn't attack, because I can take care of myself and my dog is a 42-kilo Rottweiler."

During the 2006 Second Lebanon War, Weiss recalled being kicked out of a cab "because the driver, also an immigrant from a Muslim country, saw my Star of David. He left me on the side of the road. He wouldn't even take my money. He said, 'I don't want your blood money.'"

Yet, despite such run-ins, Weiss says that in his experience, "the average Norwegian is more on the side of the Jews and Israel." He blames certain politicians, what he considers a far-Leftist media and immigrants from Muslim countries for creating the discourse that produces virulent anti-Israel and anti-Semitic attacks and statements.

Recent incidents included violent anti-Israel demonstrations against Operation Cast Lead during which dozens of demonstrators were arrested for attacking pro-Israel protestors.

One demonstration against the operation on January 8 was attended by Finance Minister Kristin Halvorsen, leader of the Socialist Left party who publicly backed a boycott of Israeli goods in 2006. Part of that demonstration split off and headed in the direction of the Israeli Embassy, where it degenerated into a more raucous rally where anti-Semitic expressions were heard.

Contrary to what was suggested in a Jerusalem Post report this week, Halvorsen was not heard to utter anti-Semitic statements during the demonstration, and was not present at the outbreak of violence.

In a statement e-mailed to the Post, a Socialist Left spokeswoman called the event attended by the minister "a demonstration for peace in Gaza," and said it included "appeals for inter-religious coexistence and peace, calling on Israel to stop the war on Gaza." Halvorsen herself "publicly denounced the violent outbreak and anti-Jewish expressions that occurred in the aftermath of the peace demonstration," the statement read.

According to Melchior, the claim that Norway is anti-Semitic is false, and "achieved by taking a complex reality and willfully painting a bleak picture."

For example, he says, "I walk the street in Oslo wearing more than just a Star of David" - Melchior sports the beard, suit and black kippa of ultra-Orthodox Jews - "without being bothered. The same goes for my son, the rabbi of the synagogue in Oslo, and my grandchildren, who walk the streets unafraid."

Melchior notes that "on the Shabbat following the anti-Israel demonstrations, which were not so well-attended in the first place, the foreign minister and the archbishop of Oslo, together with other Norwegian leaders, came to Oslo's synagogue to protest" the anti-Semitic expressions heard at some of the demonstrations.

Hercz, a Hungarian-born Holocaust survivor, has written in Norwegian newspapers that some Norwegian politicians' habit of singling out Israel for criticism constituted prejudice and anti-Semitism. But he believes this political error in judgment does not mean Norway itself is anti-Semitic.

"It's not right to say that Norway is anti-Semitic," he insists. "Most people are not anti-Semitic. I love Norway. I love Israel. Official Norway has been very good to Israel, has helped Israel and sold oil to Israel. There's a problem with the leftists, who hate America too, and with some youngsters who demonstrate against Israel but won't demonstrate against China or Iran. But these are few. The problem is not as big as you think."

#2

Norway's support for Gaza reported as "Increased anti-Semitism"

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite? ... 8354475933

Mar 30, 2009 1:22 | Updated Mar 30, 2009 2:23

Increased anti-Semitism in Norway has local Jews anxious

By MAYA SPITZER

Anti-Israel and anti-Semitic sentiment has exploded in Norway - driven by the Norwegian media and intellectual elite - due to Operation Cast Lead, according to Norwegian Jewish leaders.

During the war, Olso was fraught with violent anti-Israel demonstrations. Numerous government officials decried Israel's actions in Gaza - including Minister of Finance Kristin Halvorsen, who led a march shouting, "Death to the Jews!" Norwegian doctor Mads Gilbert, who worked in Gaza and disseminated stories about Israel's brutality, became a national hero in the Norwegian media.

Even before the war began, local Jews were tense because of anti-Semitic cartoons, recent boycotts of Israeli merchandise, and the highly publicized affair of Norwegian comic Otto Jespersen, who made anti-Semitic remarks on national television.

This wave continued with renowned Norwegian painter Håkon Gullvåg's opening a new exhibition entitled "Requiem for the Children of Gaza" in Trondheim over the weekend. The city's mayor, Rita Ottervik, applauded Gullvåg for accurately depicting the Gaza conflict. Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg also commended Gullvåg for "painting pictures that place this [the plight of the Palestinians] on the agenda."

Kygell Nyhuus, secretary of the Norwegian Press Professional Association, told The Jerusalem Post recently that the Jespersen incident - in which the comedian's anti-Semitic remarks on the TV2 network were deemed "in bad conduct" earlier this year, and the network forced to publish an adjudication - was the first time satire had ever been censored in Norway.

"I don't see lots of anti-Semitism in Norway, though," Nyhuus said. "This is not at all indicative of anti-Semitism in Norway, and the decision itself had nothing to do with the anti-Semitic content of his comments - only the degree of their vulgarity."

However, according to Manfred Gerstenfeld, chairman of the Jerusalem Center of Public Affairs, "the elite, the academics, politicians and media consider themselves to be great moralists, with very little self-introspection. Their self-righteousness, arrogance, and inherited Lutheran prejudices against Jews has led to a huge amount of anti-Israel sentiment. Gaza caused these latent feelings in society to come to the fore."

Rabbi Yoav Melchior, considered the leading rabbi of Norway, said he had been "very scared during the war."

"Hatred spread in a fast, dangerous way. This was blind emotionalism against Israel and against Jews. It gets deep at the heart of Norway's emotional anti-Semitism. The current wave of anti-Semitism shows what people have been holding inside them," he said.

Gerstenfeld, who authored and recently published Behind the Humanitarian Mask: The Nordic Countries, Israel, and the Jews, noted that "considering that there are only 700 Jews in a population of 4.6 million, there is a lot of hatred against Israel and the Jews."

Norway's government has been vocal in its criticism of Israel in recent months. At the outbreak of the Gaza hostilities, Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre declared that "Norway strongly condemns any form of warfare that causes severe civilian suffering, and calls on Israel to withdraw its forces immediately."

In addition, "the Norwegians are pioneers in boycotting Israel," Gerstenfeld said, citing many Norwegian trade unions' affinity for supporting Palestinian interests at Israel's expense.

In an NGO Monitor report released March 12, Norway was found to have supported Palestinian humanitarian aid organizations for the past decade, including many that have pursued radical anti-Israel agendas. The report called this support for "boycotts and apartheid rhetoric instead of peace and coexistence."

According to Gerstenfeld, "because Norway is a very tiny country with a language most don't understand, nobody gives them much attention. Their anti-Semitism flew completely under the radar for a long time."

Now that the world is becoming aware of the situation in Norway, "the Norwegian elite won't get away with this incredible arrogance any longer," he asserted.

#3

Israeli in Norway's army intelligence collects evidence of anti-semitism & sends it to AIPAC

fool's day in Norway

I am stuck for the weekend in Penang, involuntarily, but the view is great.

I would like to share two notes on some recent events in Norway which might be of interest - one on a strange and possibly hoax event around an Israeli inside the Norwegian army intelligence service. The story, though silly reminds of the canada - israel security agreement signed on 23 march and reported by GR.

I will send the second one separately:

Fool's day in Norway.

Norwegian Finance Minister Halvorson has a problem. Somebody by the name of David Weiss who claims to be a Jewish officer identified in the Norwegian army has given an interview with the Jeruzalem Post about rising hate against the Jews in Norway, citing in particular the Finance Minster who is accused of yelling 'death to the Jews' during a Gaza demonstration in January.   Of course she denies.

http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks ... 012009.ece

Captain David Weiss who has been tracked down by Aftenposten (over the telephone) says he works in the Intelligence Service of the Norwegian army. He owns a 42 kg Rohtweiler and says he is not afraid for himself. He tells Aftenposten that he collects evidence of anti-semitism in Norway and sends this to AIPAC.
Various high profile Norwegian Jews have contacted the newspapers (both JP and Aftenposten) to nuance this picture This was reason for David Weiss to get back to the Jeruzalem Post and re-confirm his view.

There is some skepticism about the validity of the source Weiss, whose name does not appear in Norway public tax register or the telephone directory.
The Norwegian army also denies his existence and refuses to comment on his possible secret assignment in the Intelligence service.
However, the chair of the Centre Against Anti-Semitism  Senter mot antisemittisme in Norway, Mr. Erez Uriely is quoted in JP and it seems that he knows David Weiss and provides the Aftenposten with his telephone number.
"I am employed by the army. For security reasons I cannot reveal (the nature of) my job which also explains why I have a secret phone number and address."
According to the Norwegian State Census Bureau David Weiss has a foreign nationality. David Weiss corrects this saying he has a double nationality.
The army's spokesman says, 'normally we don't employ people with foreign nationality. In case of double nationality this must mean that he has been screened and cleared according to procedure'.

 In the JP interview David Weiss points at politicians, left wing media, and Islamic immigrants who are creating a climate of anti-Israel and anti-semitic attacks and statements. In 2006 he was thrown out of a taxi by a Muslim taxi driver who saw his David star and said I don't want your blood money.
On the question why he revealed his position and grade, he said this was done by the JP journalist without his consent. (even though he claims it was he who contacted JP).
Since 1 April, JP and the Norwegian media have sustained the story with added information.

So far the Ministry of Defense has kept silent. But on 5 April spokesman Myre declared that David Weiss is not employed by the army or its intelligence services.

Aftenposten's political editor Stanghelle is skeptical saying that the ministry has given mixed reactions and it has hidden the truth before in similar cases. But the Ministry of Defense sticks to its denial, pointing out that speaking out in public and revealing your identity is contrary to professional intelligence practice.

My comment (LS):

The question of Norwegian anti-semitism I leave aside, apart from saying that the two Norwegian doctors (Mads Gilbert and Erik Fosse "this is what hell looks like" http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/ ... an-doctors) have done a great job healing Gaza's wounds and exposing Israel's war crimes.

For me the key issue is whether the Norwegian Army is hosting an Israeli intelligence officer (or more than one). The denial by the Ministry of Defense seems plausible. Why would an intelligence officer be so stupid to reveal his identity?

I cannot answer that question, but the telephone conversation seems to provide evidence that indeed such a person exists. Now it could also be that this is a hoax, or perhaps even a 1st April fools day joke. Note the rather odd suggestion that David Weiss  is reporting to AIPAC, when he actually should be reporting to his intelligence superiors in Tel Aviv.

It is also possible that someone has invented the Weiss character to draw attention to the fact (or possibility) that the Norwegian armed forces are indeed hosting Israeli intelligence staff within their ranks. In that case we are dealing with a fool's day scenario, but a serious one. In the Netherlands we have some experience with autonomous interventions from Israeli intelligence on our territory in the wake of the El Al crash in the Bijlmer. The Israeli PM Olmert has only recently declared that Israel conducts operations both near and far away. So it is possible that JP made a mistake revealing his employment in Norway.

In the light of this it may be interesting to look at Canada as revealed by Global Research

The Canada-Israel "Public Security" Agreement

Ottawa & Tel Aviv collaborate in counter-terrorism & Homeland security

by Michel Chossudovsky, Global Research, April 2, 2008

Canada and Israel have signed a far-reaching public security cooperation agreement.

(LS) In this case the Canadian (Harper) government allows unrestricted access to Israeli intelligence in a broad range of jurisdictions in Canada:

<issues of immigration and ethnic profiling, the management of borders, intelligence and the exchange of information, emergency preparedness, correctional services, prisons, law enforcement  and counter-terrorism.>

Now the real question relating to the Norwegian story is whether the Norwegian government covertly or overtly allows Israel to operate within its services. Note particularly also possible access of Israeli officers to the penal system (and case records), which like in Canada makes it possible to identify persons who are deemed hostile to Israel's cause (or crimes depending on the way you look at it). ==