Norwegian Jews decry proposed criminalization of settlement trade - interiew

Norwegian Jewish leaders condemned a proposed Norwegian law that would criminalize trade with Israeli settlements, with penalties of up to three years in prison. Leaders warned the law creates real anxiety among Jews, risks criminalizing family and communal ties to Israel, and that the foreign minister's comments delegitimize genuine antisemitism concerns.

Norwegian Jewish leaders condemned a proposed law that would criminalize certain forms of trade with Israeli settlements, carrying penalties of up to three years in prison. Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide announced the bill in an interview with NRK, stating that Israel has become 'far too accustomed to being able to intimidate Western countries by saying they were antisemitic.' Ester Nafstad, co-founder of Kos & Kaos, said the proposal creates 'real anxiety' among Norwegian Jews, who fear their family and communal ties to Israel could expose them to scrutiny. She called Eide's comment about antisemitism accusations 'deeply troubling,' arguing it lends authority to the idea that such accusations are a cynical political weapon. Henrik Beckheim called Eide the 'most dangerous man in Norway's government since Quisling.' Israeli educator On Elpeleg said the action risks criminalizing Jews in Norway and spreading hostility. Eleven other countries joined Norway in imposing restrictions on settlement goods.