After a few Jerusalem Post articles detailing Norway’s anti-Israel history, the Norwegians figured that they would respond. Some of what they say is fair enough, but others seem a little far-fetched.
One that I found particularly amusing was this:
What ‘Post’ readers of conscience nee… JPost – Opinion – Op-Eds.
Claim: In October 2010, Norway’s Foreign Ministry announced that it would not permit the German shipbuilder HDW to test its Dolphin-class submarine, built for the Israeli navy, in Norwegian territorial waters.
Fact: It is true that Norway has strict rules for the export of arms, including services, to countries that are at war or where there is a threat of war. This applies to many countries around the world, so there is no singling out of Israel.
So Norway will not export arms to a country that is facing a threat of war. Why else would a country possibly buy arms? That’s like a restaurant that only serves people who aren’t hungry.
#1 by Liam M. Getreu on May 10, 2012 - 1:12 pm
The article seems a little he-said-she-said, but the points are all reasonable. I think the Norwegians are quite consistent, really.
#2 by MK on May 10, 2012 - 2:58 pm
The article is pure propaganda — as one would expect from an article that is representing a country’s line. I’m not sure what you meant by “consistent”.
#3 by Liam M. Getreu on May 10, 2012 - 5:46 pm
Consistent in the way they criticise countries based on their values — i.e. everyone is targeted, not just Israel/Jews. That’s my perception, at least. Israel isn’t special, it’s just that it has more visibility to (a) us and (b) the entire world. The Norwegians do quite a good job of being fair IMO.