Speech by the Prime Minister at the  Commemoration of 7 October – first anniversary of the terrorist action against Israel

Checked against delivery. Translated from Norwegian.

Your Majesty,
Your Royal Highness,
Members of the Norwegian Jewish community – here and throughout the country,
Friends,

Thank you for inviting me.

It is good to be together – here in this synagogue, which has withstood the turmoil of the world before – on the one-year anniversary of the horrific terrorist attack against Israel.

We condemned the terrorist attack when it happened.

We continue to condemn all acts of terrorism now.

As we come together today, we share a sense of unity that extends across our religious and political points of view and personal narratives.

And we share a common anguish.

For those who are religious, there is also something greater than us all here – a higher power, if I may put it that way. We can choose to seek the serenity, the calm, the hope of the Jewish New Year.

And the song, the prayers, the beauty of the building, all remind us that there is good in the world. That people care. That we can draw strength from solidarity.

We need that.

We need each other.

For we are all appalled by the profoundly serious situation in the Middle East.

Many of us have ties to the region – family, relatives, friends, colleagues.

Many Jewish people in Norway feel a very close connection to Israel. It is a matter of identity, and historical tradition and fellowship.

This is something we must have deep respect for.

What happened in Israel on 7 October 2023 reactivated the trauma in the Jewish world – of atrocities from earlier times.

It has brought widespread alarm and despair to Israel – and to everyone, here and in Israel, who believes that Israel’s security must be safeguarded.

This past year has increased the concern and despair for everyone in the Middle East – and in the world, including here in Norway.

Over this year, we have seen that tens of thousands of people have been killed, injured and orphaned. Have gone missing. Are in desperate need of assistance. Civilians being held hostage.

The indescribable suffering.

The fighting is taking place in another part of the world. But we are also concerned about the increasingly insensitive and polarised atmosphere in the Norwegian debate. It affects us right here, in our daily lives.  

Prejudice, demonised images of the enemy – here in our own country, where we work to promote openness and inclusivity.

We are seeing a rise in harassment and even threats against institutions, homes and individuals. We are hearing the word ‘Jew’ being used as an insult.

Antisemitism and Islamophobia.

This did not begin with 7 October 2023, but things escalated vastly after that day – after the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel’s civilian population, when 250 people were taken hostage.

After which Israel, acting within its clear right to defend its people and existence, has waged a war with brutal impacts for civilians – in a manner that the Norwegian Government believes – and has stated unequivocally – is in violation of international law. 

The wave of violence continues to surge.

Because violence begets violence, hate breeds more hate, and revenge provokes counter-revenge.  

The flood of images across our screens – from Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, Lebanon. – From landscapes we know and love.

And – as always – civilians bear the brunt of it and suffer the most. Especially the children.

Friends,

Allow me to me share some thoughts with you.

One is this: Despite how distressed and devastated we are by these events, none of us here in our country is responsible for actions committed in the Middle East.

It goes without saying that all of us here have views, often strong convictions, about the events taking place. Because in a democracy there is room for different opinions.

But our democracy also requires us to defend other values. For instance:

Jews in Norway and friends of Israel – and others – must be allowed to have strong opinions without being held accountable for the actions of the Israeli Government and military forces.  

And Palestinians in Norway and Muslims who live here – and others – must be allowed to have strong opinions – without being directly associated with the actions of militias in Gaza or Lebanon or the regime in Iran.

The actors in the Middle East – in decision rooms and on the ground – are responsible for their own actions, everywhere the conflict is unfolding.

We who are here in Norway – we are responsible for our attitudes.

We can choose whether we will meet other people with understanding, respect and compassion – or the opposite. Even in turbulent times. Yes – especially now.

All of us, political and religious leaders alike, have an added responsibility for what we say. Because our words reveal our attitudes.

And as we know, attitudes define action. We must therefore exercise caution in how we choose to express ourselves.

Let us take to heart the joint statement issued in September by the leadership forum of the Council for Religious Life Stance Communities in Norway:

‘Together we insist on the right of all people to live and be safe. Together we condemn antisemitism. Together we condemn Islamophobia. Together we support zero tolerance for violence. We desire peace and freedom for both the Palestinian and the Israeli people in the Middle East, without it being achieved at the expense of the other party.’

I find this powerful and courageous. I find it truly admirable that all the key leaders across the spectrum of Norwegian religious and life stance communities stand unified behind such a statement. It deserves recognition.

It instils confidence and shows strength and represents bridge-building. And in my view, it is fully in the spirit of Chief Rabbi Michael Melchior – as I and so many others in Norway have come to know and appreciate.

Friends,

The Government, the Storting, the municipalities and local neighbourhoods can – and must – do what they can to help during this time of tension and anxiety.

We are working to strengthen the efforts of the police to combat hate crimes – indeed, to better equip all of society to fight radicalisation and extremism.

We are further updating our action plan against antisemitism.

We are renewing educational courses for schools.

We are supporting peace and human rights resource centres, dialogue forums, meeting places – and the young pathfinders, such as those in the project here in the Jewish community.

We must build greater understanding of the importance of culture and identity – not least religious identity – and counteract marginalisation.  

We must be permitted to be who we are.

And to wear the symbols we identify with – a cross, a Star of David, a head covering, a scarf, a Pride flag or whatever else it may be.

Because the most important thing here in Norway, just exactly now, may be this:

We need to work together to maintain Norway as a free and open society, a democracy firmly rooted in the rule of law that protects minorities and safeguards human rights – freedom of expression, religious freedom, equality. Where everyone can feel safe.

At the same time:

Our values are something we choose.

Our attitudes are something we shape.

Our mutual trust in one another is something we build ourselves. This social capital may be most important resource our society has to draw on.   

For as the American professor Timothy Snyder writes in his book On Freedom: There is no freedom without solidarity. Freedom for you means freedom for me.

In closing, my friends

We have a responsibility to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. We have a responsibility not to sow divisiveness.

In one of the world’s oldest stories, we find the brothers Cain and Abel. They are portrayed in different ways in the holy books of Judaism, Islam and Christianity. We all know the story: Cain strikes Abel and kills him, and the Lord asks: ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ To which Cain replies: ‘I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?’ (Genesis, Chapter 4).

This is a deeply ethical question – a question for all time, including today: Am I my brother’s keeper?

We can make the choice to answer: Yes, that is exactly what we are – all of us.

We have a responsibility to each other. To acknowledge one another, to see one another and recognise that every human life has value.

We need to live in a country where there is room for all religious communities and life stances.

With generosity towards and respect for each other.

A diverse society that will benefit each of us individually and all of us collectively – as you, Ervin Kohn, so often have spoken about and taught me to see.    

Friends,

Allow me therefore to state explicitly, here in this synagogue, in this time of war in the Middle East and increasing divisions here at home:

The Jews of Norway do not stand alone. We stand together.

Your safety is my safety.

Norway is to be a safe place for Jews. You are not alone.

Thank you.