– I think the worst thing is that we still have such a high number of Muslim hostility. Close to 30 percent of us. We cannot be familiar with that, says Ervin Kohn. He is deputy head of the Antiracist Center and head of the Mosaic community in Oslo. Ervin Kohn photographed earlier this year. Photo: ISMAIL BURAK AKKAN / news – The spread of anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim attitudes has decreased in Norway since 2017. But prejudice in the form of stereotypes is still widespread, the HL center writes on its own pages. This is shown in a new report that the center published today. The report was commissioned by several ministries. – The best thing this report shows us is that anti-Semitic attitudes are somewhat on the way down. That is positive, adds Kohn. Improvement over the past 11 years The first survey of attitudes towards Jews was carried out in 2011. At that time, 12.5 per cent of the Norwegian population had “pronounced prejudice” against Jews. In 2022, the figures are somewhat milder: 9.3 percent have “pronounced prejudice” against Jews. This is a decrease of 3.2 percentage points. 14 percent believe that Jews work in secret to promote their own interests. This is a decrease of 5 percentage points. New this year was the claim that “Jews have too much influence over the international economy” and “Jews themselves are to blame for being persecuted”. 14 and 8 per cent respectively support the claims. Anti-Semitism has increased Although there are fewer people who are prejudiced against Jews in 2022 than there were in 2011, the numbers have nevertheless increased since the last survey. It was carried out in 2017. The HL center writes in its report that anti-Semitic attitudes increase in troubled periods. – The performances are revived in periods of political, economic and social unrest. Atta Mohammed and Ervin Kohn during the launch of the report from the HL centre. Photo: Heather Ørbeck Eliassen / news – One in ten also believes that violence against Jews can be justified. These are absolutely terrible figures, says Ervin Kohn. He believes we will never get rid of anti-Semitism. – Not even the holocaust could do it. Anti-Semitism must be fought continuously, says Kohn. And it must be fought with knowledge and attitude-creating work, he believes. – Knowledge alone is not enough, you have to work with both. Anti-Semitic acts must be illegitimate, although they may not be illegal. Prejudice against Muslims Negative attitudes towards Muslims have also decreased in recent years. But the numbers are not all rosy. In 2017, 19.6 per cent of the population rejected social contact with Muslims. In 2022, the number has dropped to 15.3 per cent. 23.7 per cent now express dislike for Muslims – in 2017 the figure was 27.7 per cent. But even if the proportion is falling, there are still 30 per cent of the Norwegian population who have pronounced prejudices against the religious group. – It is frightening that so many people think we are not part of society. We are stigmatized and that leads to outsiders, says Atta Mohammed, deputy chairman of the 10 August Foundation. Atta Mohammed photographed in 2020. Photo: Berit Roald / NTB – There is hope 44 percent of those who responded to the survey also believe that the Muslims themselves are to blame for the incitement directed against them. The report also shows that people in Norway hide their identity because they are afraid of harassment or prejudice. – It is also frightening. It shouldn’t be like this, says Mohammed. He believes that one positive thing we can take away from the report is that, all in all, the numbers are falling. – It shows that there is hope. The report also shows that men, the elderly and people with a low level of education are more prejudiced than others.
ttn-69
One in ten Norwegians believes violence against Jews can be justified – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
