The Aftenposten editor doesn’t really know on which foot to stand. Sort of a tap dance here, but the politically correct in Europe today is that “Israel has the right to defend herself” so the editorialconcedes and still tries the…
European politics
Roger Hercz on Syria and the Middle East in Dagsavisen: Mea culpa!
by McGonagall • • 10 Comments
A thought provoking oped by Roger Hercz. Now it will be interesting to see whether his colleagues will follow suit and allow themselves similar reflexions, whether privately or shared with the wider public. (lifted from Dagsavisen.no – nye meninger) The…
Norway focuses on Breivik Trial, very little stuff about anything else
by McGonagall • • 25 Comments
Aside from covering the ongoing drama in Syria (and this is because a Norwegian has been given the task of overseeing the UN observers when they arrive in Syria) Norway is, as would be expected, totally engrossed with the Breivik…
What Norwegians get to know about Israel today. And Turkey!
by McGonagall • • 1 Comment
Norway is officially on Easter holiday, with most Norwegians safely tucked away at remote cabins, looking for snow so that they can re-connect with their inner Norwegian, the one on skis, a lone figure, braving storms and avalanches as he…
The Jewish children in Toulouse (and children every where else)
by McGonagall • • 27 Comments
Was it really only yesterday that the Sandler family and Monsonego families had their lives brutally torn in thousand un-mendable pieces? I struggle to get my head around this one. One minute they are here; giggly, chubby, little budding humans,…
Liberal party politician slams government over Syria crisis
by McGonagall • • 1 Comment
Wow, we actually have national politicians who are capable of delivering stinging criticism and demand better performance in our foreign affairs. Rebekka Borsch was born in Germany, but is now a Norwegian citizen. She is the leader of the Liberal party…
Isn’t it about time that Europe apologizes to Jews for WW2 deportations?
by McGonagall • • 50 Comments
It is not only in the Netherlands that prominent people question the failure to apologize to the Jews for deportations and persecution. The former leader of the Jewish Congregation in Oslo, Rolf Kirchner has written an oped (, not online;…
Syrian victims of state terror won’t be using their Ericsson phones any time soon
by McGonagall • • 7 Comments
It is not only Norway that behaves abysmally in the face of the escalating conflict in Syria. Sweden too, tries to sell an image of supreme righteousness, touts their neutrality, but in reality they are just as two faced as…
Not in Norwegian media: Erdogan accused of war crimes in Germany!
by McGonagall • • 9 Comments
In addition to being a constant irritation to German authorities for his meddling with domestic German affairs, Turkish prime minister and his government have been accused of war crimes by German scientists, academics and human rights activists. Norwegian media and…
Nordic Foreign Ministers blast Israel, not Hamas, not Hizballah, not even Iran who threatens to attack Israel with WMD
by McGonagall • • 8 Comments
Thanks to Tundratabloids who drew my attention to this story: Joint statement by all 5 Nordic FM’s on Norway’s Foreign Ministry’s web page. It makes my hair stand on end. Nordic countries concerned about measures against Palestinians You are here: Government.no…
The European gut reaction in difficult times: curtail the rights of others
by McGonagall • • 17 Comments
It is not only in Norway that mass immigration from very distinct cultures and sets of values over a short period of time triggers a strong reaction from the native population. All over Europe, it seems the gut reaction is…
Erna Solberg says Muslims are treated like the Jews in the 1930s
by McGonagall • • 26 Comments
The leader of Høyre, Erna Solberg has said in an interview with VG that Muslims in todays Norway are being treated like the Norwegian Jews were treated in the 1930s. To be very fair (and this is of fundamental importance…
This unbearable pain – and the work we all have a duty to do
by McGonagall • • 35 Comments
We are so terribly pained, we Norwegians. We cannot bring ourselves to believe this horror that took place. It was unimaginable. And it shook us out of the innocent belief that this could not take place here. What kind of…
Un dolor insoportable… y el trabajo que todos debemos hacer
by McGonagall • • 4 Comments
Estamos muy doloridos, nosotros los Noruegos. No lo podemos creer, el horror que paso. Fue algo inimaginable. Y nos saco de la inocencia de que aca no pasa nada. Que tipo de bestia puede poner una bomba en pleno centro…
…. and now the tiny group of Norwegian Gaza flotilla participants calls it a day and bites the dust!
by McGonagall • • 1 Comment
No sooner did NIJ write about how loud moaning about sabotage, bureaucracy, failure to get the final certificates to set sail for Gaza in reality may be a poorly disguised attempt to not look utterly incapable and stupid when the…
Free Gilad Shalit! But don’t wait for Amnesty International to front any action
by McGonagall • • 10 Comments
It seems like a poor joke, but it has taken the Amnesty International all of 5 years to address this ongoing crime against humanity in any serious way. Today, making the 5th anniversary since his capture, the General Secretary of…
Norwegian politicians mum, Cameron takes a stand.
by McGonagall • • 0 Comments
Aside from the polite protest from Norwegian politicians in the wake of Libyan massacre, no public person of interest here in Norway has stood up to call the bluff of some Arab leaders who will use the Palestinian cause in…
What’s this? Gadaffi bombs his own people, the UN, EU must be dragged into action?
by McGonagall • • 0 Comments
If it was not so terribly tragic, I might have had a good laugh. All those politically correct, caught pants down. Sadly, there is no cause for joy, far too many Libyans are dead, mowed down in this weeks latest…
Not in Norwegian news: Human Rights Watch calls for cuts in funding… of PA
by McGonagall • • 0 Comments
In an unprecedented press statement the HRW faults the PA for not dealing with cases of torture. As we frequently aim our guns at the HRW’s very selective approach towards the ME conflict, I would just want to applaud this…
While we wait for Godot – enjoy this radio podcast from the BBC
by McGonagall • • 4 Comments
While we await the outcome – short term as well as long term – of the ongoing drama in Egypt, you may find it interesting to take 30 minutes to listen to the BBC radio documentary File on 4 Tolerating…