Background: Israel «Apartheid» Boycott Thwarted by Norwegian Government

[ksv]

I just posted my first article on newsvine, and want to share it with the macosx.com community as well

The original posting can be found at newsvine. Anyone wanting an invitation can email me.

Background: Israel «Apartheid» Boycott Thwarted by Norwegian Government

TRONDHEIM, NORWAY — After weeks of diplomatic controversy and international attention, the much debated political motion of a Norwegian regional parliament to boycott Israeli goods is unlikely to be put into action due to governmental intervention.

The county municipality of Sør-Trøndelag, Norway, entered an international campaign to boycott Israel, deeming the country an apartheid state.

Unexpected
Sør-Trøndelag passed the resolution in December of last year, prohibiting trade connections with Israel in public sector. Only affecting entities under responsibility of the county municipality, most significantly senior high schools and public dental health, the boycott's financial extent would have been near void. However, the resolution's symbolic influence led to political impact exceeding all expectations and shortly triggering widespread debate.

The resolution, initially proposed by revolutionary left-wing party Red Election Alliance (RV) representative Torill Skjærseth, unexpectedly went through the county parliament after Workers' Party (AP) and [officially] pro-Israel Progress Party (FrP) representatives voted against their respective parties' official policy.

«Racist», «fascist» and «anti-semitic»
The response was immediate. Supportive and opposing messages entered the scene from all sides.

In midst of debate, Shimon Samuels of the Paris based Wiesenthal Center labeled the boycott as «an act of anti-semitism» and «a continuation of collaborationist history under its [Norway's] own Nazi leader, Vidkun Quisling» in a letter addressed to Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg (AP).

In an interview with Sør-Trøndelag local radio channel Radio-Adressa, Samuels described the political majority of Sør-Trøndelag as «nazis, stalinists and racists» and «fascists with sympathies to Quisling», the infamous Norwegian nazi traitor serving as Hitler's delegate dictating Norway during World War II.

The Sør-Trøndelag Socialist Left Party demanded an unconditional apology for the accusations and called for a serious debate, in a letter to the Wiesenthal Center yet to be answered.

Trilateral diplomatic incident
On the dawn of the new year, a series of statements from regional and national Norwegian politicians nearly led to a serious diplomatic incident. Finance Minister and leader of the Socialist Left Party (SV), Kristin Halvorsen, endorsed the boycott and urged Norwegian consumers to check origin of goods to avoid those from Israel, in an interview with Norwegian tabloid Dagbladet.

Halvorsen also said a boycott will make clear the discontentment with Israel's treatment of the Palestinian people.

Israel had already taken notice of Sør-Trøndelag's boycott. The incident escalated when Halvorsen's statement made its way to the Israeli Department of Foreign Affairs which promptly issued a letter to its Norwegian counterpart.

It was not clear at that time whether Halvorsen's statements, highly unpopular with Israeli and U.S. government officials, were representing her political party or the Cabinet. Israel's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Silvan Shalom, said Israel would «consider how open Israel will be to Norwegian diplomats in the future». U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice threatened Norway with «serious political consequences» and expressed concerns that «diplomatic connections could become rougher».

In Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre's reply regarding the misconception, Støre wrote of Norway as a «friend of Israel enjoying close bilateral relations based on long-standing historical ties» and «Norway actively supporting the the right of Israel to live in peace and security within defendable borders», a term mainly used by the U.S. and Israel in context of the «security wall», Israel's definition of Israeli-Palestinian borders.

Støre's letter became subject of more controversy and was regarded as overly submissive by socialists and right-wing politicians alike. Pointing at the letters, former Foreign Minister Jan Petersen (Conservative Party, H) said he would «be called a sheep if he proceeded in the same manner».

Støre eventually admitted the wording of parts of the letters to be unfortunate, although the statements would formally stay unaltered.

Deemed illegal
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs eventually got itself out of the issue by deeming the boycott motion of Sør-Trøndelag illegal, referring to WTO treaties and human rights.

Representatives for the Socialist Left Party in Sør-Trøndelag rhetorically retaliated to the claims by pointing at Norwegian official boycotts of Myanmar [former Burma] and Morocco-occupied West Sahara, fearing the practice of overruling local politics to become prevalent.

The boycott, temporarily postponed until a county municipality meeting in March, is unlikely to be put into action before its cancellation.

Sources:
Adresseavisen
Aftenposten
Dagbladet
VG
Wikipedia
ODiN

 

[pds]

Hi kjetil.

Just a few thoughts...

Original Premise: Apartheid State....
You know I'm no big fan of Israel, but I have to say that it is still the only rechtstadt in this region. Arab-Israelis have full access to the political process, there are Arab members of the Knesset, and so are not second-class citizens. Arab citizens have availed to the court system and have won significant cases concerning land appropriation and discriminations in Israel proper. There is a problem of discrimination in the country, as there is in all of the other states of the region (perhaps in the world). It's no fun being Palestinian and living in Egypt, I'll tell you. The stuff I've seen and heard would curl your hair.

In "Eretz Israel" the apartheid is perhaps more argueable, but it is more like the evils of occupation than those of discrimination. Call a spade a spade, you'll get further.

I would like to hear the SV's reasoning that the state of Israel proper is apartheid (cool word - the state of being separated...). Does it concern the actual state (with stolen land in the settlements) or the extended area of the West Bank (and until recently the Gaza Strip). If it's eretz - then the apartheid moniker is false, and just a PR ploy. If it's Israel proper, then it's wrong and so demagoguery.

Boycott Israel if you like (though it is only a symbolic gesture to make you feel better about yourself), but don't call it what it's not. It demeans the true victims of apartheid regimes.

Reaction - Anti-Semitic Racist and Fascist
This is so typical that it's BORING!! Everytime someone questions the actions of the Israeli government, a chorus of Weisenthalers from around the world scream "anti-semite!"

Give it a rest folks. When will people understand that killing the messenger is not the way to go? It really is time to engage in substantive dialog about the reality of the situation in the region and stop the name calling. The real issues are about water and sovereignty, not terrorism or apartheid.

 

[Esquilinho]

Reaction - Anti-Semitic Racist and Fascist
This is so typical that it's BORING!! Everytime someone questions the actions of the Israeli government, a chorus of Weisenthalers from around the world scream "anti-semite!"

Exactly! It's as if the fact that millions of Jews were slaughtered by the Germans during WW2 exempts them from all responsability for whatever they may do afterwards. And if you even try to criticize them, you're immediatly labeled as anti-semite!

It's the same with the American government and it's relations with Europe: They helped Europe during the war and post-war (which no-one denies), so now Europe must do whatever America tells us to – no matter what!

 

[Rhisiart]

I agree with Esquilinho.

We should judge a nation's conduct on the basis of how it treats its citizens and its neighbours. We should never forget the Holocaust, but nor should we turn a blind eye to all the bigotry and hatred that is taking place all around us.

I wonder what the moderators think about the inclusion of this thread on a Mac forum site!

 

[mdnky]

I wonder what the moderators think about the inclusion of this thread on a Mac forum site!

As long as it stays polite and on an adult level, it'll stay active—it is in the Cafe after all, which is for non-Mac related discussions. Everyone has a right to an opinion and we try not to limit that here. However when things go downhill (like: fighting, rudeness, name calling, flaming, and other general childishness), or when something violates the board rules, then we have to take action.

Unfortunately discussions on politics, religion, and other sensitive topics usually bring out the best and worst in people.

 

[ksv]

Personally and subjectively, I don't find «apartheid» to be descriptive for Israeli policy. «Apartheid» is an Afrikaans word used by previous South African governments. The State of Israel does not have a term for its discrimination. «Apartheid» belongs to South Africa and, in my view, is not applicable to the segregationist policy of Israel.

However, there are significant similarities between Apartheid and the Middle Eastern conflict.

- In South Africa, black people were ethnically cleansed out of cities and designated their own territories — often rural, uninhabited and significantly less attractive areas.
In Israel, Palestinians were and are still ethnically cleansed out of attractive and resourceful areas to make room for Israeli settlements.

- In South Africa, the government passed a regulation to allow for demolishing slum areas inhabited by black people.
In Israel, there is no such legislation, but the government unlawfully demolished several complete towns in the 40s and 50s, and continues to destroy the homes and property of terrorists' families and relatives.

- In South Africa, the government passed a regulation to forbid people of non-European origin to use certain public amenities such as restrooms and drinking fountains.
In Israel, Palestinians are denied access to roads when local authorities decide Palestinian traffic to be a «security issue». Also Palestinian-built roads are governed this way.

Israeli policy towards Palestinian territory is far more severe in its discrimination than Apartheid ever was, again making «apartheid» inappropriate; South Africa never went as far as building a wall across the country.

Nelson Mandela gets warm welcome in Gaza
Apartheid in the Holy Land
Desmond Tutu: Do I Divest?

Boycott Israel if you like (though it is only a symbolic gesture to make you feel better about yourself), but don't call it what it's not. It demeans the true victims of apartheid regimes.

The worldwide consumer boycott of the Apartheid regime eventually led to isolation of the country and forced Apartheid to its demise.

I'll let you reconsider your statement before voicing my sincere opinion on it.


Unfortunately, Samuels' response was the only foreign statement I could dig up against the boycott, not counting the political threats from U.S. and Israeli foreign ministries.
Typical, but comparing a democratic political majority to Quisling is such an extraordinarily bad move it had to be mentioned. Quisling deported Norwegian jews and socialists to concentration camps in central Europe.


On Palestinians living in Egypt; you know very well why they fled to Egypt in the first place, and why they prefer to stay in their unfortunate situation rather than moving back to «their own country».

It really is time to engage in substantive dialog about the reality of the situation in the region and stop the name calling.

Which has also been the stance of the Norwegian Government, leading to the Oslo Accords in 1993. From which the «Oslo War», as called by some right-wing Israelis, got its name. (The 2000-> Intifada).

 

[fryke]

Interesting, complicated subject you have there. In discussions with family, friends and colleagues, I often felt *very* uneasy when we were talking about Israel/Palaestine, _because_ it's so difficult to say anything bad about Israel. The "you're anti-semitic" argument is thrown in ever-so-fast. One day, I came up with a defense (offense is the best defense) strategy, although it never really _works_, it just is an ironic way of loosening tension before it gets too dense:

If you're arguing against Israel and you just *know* that the next argument against you will be that your thoughts are anti-semitic, act and ask your "opponent" (in the discussion): "Isn't your opinion, well, maybe a little too semitic?"

You'll certainly catch the attention of everybody. And hopefully after that, you'll all laugh a bit about it and start to discuss without all the labels. It's healthier.

 

[pds]

If you're arguing against Israel and you just *know* that the next argument against you will be that your thoughts are anti-semitic, act and ask your "opponent" (in the discussion): "Isn't your opinion, well, maybe a little too semitic?"

You'll certainly catch the attention of everybody. And hopefully after that, you'll all laugh a bit about it and start to discuss without all the labels. It's healthier.

lol
All the while knowing that Arabs are Semites themselves. So you could point that out and ask rhetorically if the Israelis aren't applying an anti-semitic policy.

KSV
You confirm my point, Apartheid is the wrong word, and the wrong concept. The problem is occupation and the oppression that comes with it. What is going on needs the "light of truth" shined on it. So there is no point to calling the regime "Apartheid" when even the similarities don't really apply because the destruction of homes and the herding of peoples - at present anyway - happens in territories occupied by Israel, not Israel proper.

There is no doubt that Norway is a thorn in the side of Israel (edit** or perhaps more correctly Zionist Israelis) (Oslo war and such). It was/is a home of hope for even-handed mediation between two sides with legitimate asperations. Will using demagogic phrases and name-calling help that?

As to boycotts - I guess they start somewhere...

And yes, the Palestinians are here because they want to be. I was just saying that discrimination seems to be a (lower) human characteristic, rather than a political expediency. Sometimes it becomes enthroned in law, more often in martial than in civil circumstances.

 

[bbloke]

These two issues of New Internationalist provide some interesting background (to both sides of the story):

Israel and Palestine:
http://www.newint.org/issue348/title348.htm
(in particular, http://www.newint.org/issue348/facts.htm for a list of facts-at-a-glance)


Anti-semitism:
http://www.newint.org/issue372/index.htm
(again, http://www.newint.org/issue372/facts.htm for more listings of facts and figures)

I think the above links help to show what the Palestinians have to go through on a daily basis and why they are so angry, and the links also show why those who strongly support Israel might feel that "opponents'" views are, knowingly or unknowingly, tainted by other things.

 

[Rhisiart]

British politicians, Winston Churchill and Sir Edward Carson, effectively partitioned Ireland in 1922. Sixty years later 4,000 people died in the province during religous and ethnic conflicts.

Following WWI, Britain partitioned Iraq, creating a separate Kuwait. 70 years later saw the the First Gulf War.

Churchill ordered the mustard gasing of an entire Iraqi village in the 1930's after locals rebelled against British rule, 60 years before Saddam did something similar.

Britain was partly responsible for the partition of India and Pakistan, both sides close to nuclear war in 2003.

Lord Balfour of Britain instigated the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine as early as 1917. Eighty-four years later, two airplanes fly into the twin towers in NY.

See a pattern emerging?

 

[g/re/p]

:d


what happened to the smilies????!!!!!

 

[Rhisiart]

:d


what happened to the smilies????!!!!!

Right dude.

 

[ksv]

The county municipality recently received a letter from American Jews for a free Palestine:

Here is a letter of support for your campaign, also attached as a
Microsoft Word document. We wish you the best of luck with your
campaign and please let us know how we can help.
Eric Romann, Jews for a Free Palestine, USA

January 12, 2006
San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA

US-based Jews for a Free Palestine supports Israel boycott decision of
Norway’s Sør-Trøndelag Regional Council, opposes claims of Nazism and
Anti-Semitism

Jews for a Free Palestine wishes to commend and offer support to the
regional council of the Sør-Trøndelag in Norway in its decision to
boycott all Israeli goods on the basis of Israel’s violation of
Palestinian human rights and violation of international law. Jews for
a Free Palestine is an organization based in the San Francisco Bay
Area of California committed to ending to the Israeli occupation of
Palestine, the protection of Palestinian human rights and
self-determination, and the enforcement of international law.

We are one of many organizations in the United States and around the
world that support international efforts to pressure Israel through
economic boycotts and divestment campaigns. This including Jewish
organizations in the US, in Europe (for example, the continent-wide
European Jews for a Just Peace) and organizations in Israel itself,
such as the Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions. Israel has
consistently rejected United Nations resolutions condemning its
actions; it has ignored the 2004 International Court of Justice
decision on the Occupation; and it continues to aggressively pursue a
policy of apartheid, occupation, and illegal settlement expansion. In
the face of this, the international community is not only justified in
using, but in fact must make use of economic and diplomatic
mechanisms, including boycotts, necessary to alter Israel’s behavior.

As Jews, we are horrified day after day that Israel claims to be
acting on behalf of all Jews world-wide in violating Palestinian human
rights. We are outraged because we see this as direct betrayal of our
legacy as a persecuted people and as a people with a long history of
standing up against injustice. We draw on these long legacies as we
take action against Israel today and attempt to hold it accountable.

We applaud the millions of non-Jews around the world, including the
regional council of Sør-Trøndelag in Norway, who also take action
against Israel in support of Palestinians and in the name of
international law and human dignity. We know from our own history that
the support of some non-Jewish allies was at times critical to the
survival of our ancestors, and we also know that the complicity and
silence of onlookers has so often contributed to the suffering of Jews
and other persecuted peoples the world over. In this respect, we are
heartened by the actions of Sør-Trøndelag regional council, especially
in the face of enormous pressure from Simon Wiesenthal Centre and
other pro-Israel organizations.

We reject the claims of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre and other
organizations that actions like this are Anti-semitic and tantamount
to Nazism. Many Jews, including a great many that may not support our
own position, refute the notion that criticism of Israel as a state
based on its actions is the same as anti-Semitism. It is by now a
tired defense of Israel’s actions by those who are ready to excuse
Israel at every turn. And it is simply irresponsible, as it make its
dangerously difficult to distinguish between real acts of
anti-Semitism and legitimate criticisms of a state in the
international arena. We are saddened that organizations like the Simon
Wiesenthal Centre would act go to such lengths, denigrating the memory
of all those who have suffered at the hands of Nazism in order to
defend Israel’s indefensible policies.