In a troubling development echoing dark chapters of history, Jewish residents in Norway are increasingly concealing their identities when seeking medical care, driven by a surge in anti-Israel sentiment among healthcare professionals. This alarming trend has prompted unprecedented action from Jewish community leaders, who have formally expressed their concerns to health authorities.
“Shortly after October 7, 2023, alongside growing anti-Israel mobilization among segments of healthcare workers, health institutions, and medical experts, several members of the Jewish community expressed concern that they would feel uncomfortable seeking medical treatment and fear they wouldn’t receive optimal care if they revealed they were Jewish,” stated a letter signed by Marius Gaarder, chairman of the Jewish community in Oslo, and John Arne Moen from the Jewish community in Trondheim. “This is a situation we haven’t experienced since World War II.”
Dr. Rolf Kirschner, a Jewish physician with 45 years of experience in Norway’s public health system, highlighted the gravity of the situation. “People don’t dare wear Jewish symbols like the Star of David when going for examinations, and Jewish patients fear having their names called aloud in waiting rooms out of concern that caregivers or others will discover they are Jewish,” he explained. The apprehension is further exacerbated by the presence of overtly political materials within medical facilities. “Some Jewish patients were alarmed when they encountered healthcare professionals displaying overtly political posters and pamphlets expressing support for Palestinians, and they’re afraid to complain about this for fear of negative reactions from medical staff on whom their health depends,” Kirschner added.
Norway’s complex history with its Jewish population adds depth to these contemporary concerns. During World War II, the Norwegian health system was complicit in the deportation of Jews to extermination camps. In the present day, Norway stands out as the only Western country that refuses to recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization. This political stance contributes to the unease felt by Jewish residents. As one Jewish resident articulated, “The Norwegian health system has a problematic past and present which is undoubtedly tainted by political influence. Norway assisted the Nazis in deporting Jews to extermination camps, and today it is the only Western country that refuses to recognize the murderous organization Hamas as a terrorist organization. As a Jewish resident of Norway, I feel deep concern about the influence of politics on the ethics and professionalism of the healthcare system.”
The Jewish community in Norway is small, with approximately 1,500 registered Jews nationwide, including 800 in Oslo. This demographic reality heightens their vulnerability. The Norwegian government’s pro-Palestinian stance further compounds these fears, as community members worry about receiving substandard care due to solidarity shown by various medical professional organizations with Palestinian causes and calls for boycotts against Israel.
In response to these challenges, the Norwegian government has introduced a new action plan against antisemitism, aiming to combat discrimination and safeguard the well-being of the Jewish community. The plan includes measures to increase knowledge about antisemitism and Jewish culture, as well as initiatives to strengthen Jewish organizations. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen, especially in addressing deeply ingrained biases within critical sectors like healthcare.
The current climate underscores the urgent need for introspection and reform within Norway’s healthcare system to ensure that all patients, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds, receive equitable and unbiased medical care.