At any given time there will be at least one Norwegian politician, intellectual or artist involved in some sort of action designed to harm Israel as much as possible. Vibeke Løkkeberg’s film “Tears of Gaza” is one such scheme. The film’s Facebook-page evokes the following comment from a fan: “All I have to say is that Jews are inhuman…”
The film casts itself as being “anti-war” but in reality it translates directly into an anti-Israel film. No surprises there, as the film is a Norwegian product. Nor was it a surprise to learn that the Norwegian state broadcasting authority NRK decided to air the film over the national network. This is what we Norwegians do.
Several articles and comments deal with this issue. NRK journalist Henrik Brattli Vold has, in the defence of his employer, written not less than three of them.
NRK journalist Henrik Brattli Vold: Three articles
Vold’s first article is titled “NRK to broadcast controversial Gaza documentary“. Summary:
Article on NRK’s broadcast of Tears of Gaza, linking to video, and also informing about a web meet with Atle Dyregrov, a children’s psychologist. We are also informed on the decision to broadcast this film- it is stated the decision to broadcast this film was due to a unanimous decision by the editors of NRK- who stated not showing this film would “not be natural”.
The same NRK journalist, Henrik Brattli Vold, has also written the article “Could not take “watching children getting slaughtered“. This is an interview with Vibeke Løkkeberg where she express this comment.
“I cannot really see any difference between the Israeli warfare in Gaza and the massacres Gaddafi are conducting against Libyan insurgents. I can now hope, now as they have bombed Gaza that they (The West) will intervene in Israel”.
Furthermore, we are being informed about Løkkeberg being “Frothing of anger”.
While a less interesting journalist would have called it a day by now, NRK’s Henrik Brattli Wold has it in him to squeeze out yet another humanitarian article. Which coincidentally targets Israel. The article is titled “War is a disaster to children“. Another round of tear jerking, then, offering among other a quote from Atle Dyregrov, child psychologist:
”Gaza is not in a full scale war. Israel is running a low intensive war all of the time. Harassment creates difficult living conditions to the Palestinians every day, in particular children and the young”.
In defense of Mr. Dyregrov, he also express that the Israeli civil population is traumatized, by experiencing terrorism, and thousands of rocket launches by Palestinian militia.
DagenMagazinet: “Where is the Israeli narrative?”
A more critical article by journalist Thor Christian Skavlem in DagenMagazinet, title “Requests Israeli version from NRK“, on how Conrad Myrland of MIFF (Pro-Israeli organization) criticizes NRK’s decision to buy, broadcast and distribute “Tears of Gaza” on the web; requesting an Israeli version of events receives this reply from NRK:
“Myrland may have his own opinions. The intention of the film is to describe how people of Gaza experiences this war, says Tore Tomter, responsible for acquisitions for documentaries in NRK”.
“A film of so many unique qualities, shown all over the world, is something NRK finds both important and natural to broadcast, says Tomter”.
The debate has naturally carried through to the “Tears of Gaza” Frontpage, where the charming Hamza Mahnin offers the following comment:
“All I have to say is that Jews are inhuman.. And really, who willfully bombs civilians? They are shooting at them like small ants.. Must Allah punish them!”
