Is Norway Different?
from Part III - The Anti-Zionism of the Mainstream Left: The Case of Norway
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 July 2026
The radicalization of Norwegian social democracy has led to a divergence from the positions held by trade unions and social democratic movements in neighboring Nordic countries. While the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) has adopted increasingly critical stances towards Israel, calling for boycotts and using strong language to condemn Israeli policies, trade unions in Sweden, Denmark, and Finland have maintained more moderate positions. The chapter shows that the Norwegian approach is unique among Nordic countries. The close relationship between the LO and the Labor Party, formalized through institutions such as the Cooperation Committee, has allowed these radical positions to influence government policy. The analysis suggests that Norway’s radical stance on Israel and Palestine is not just a continuation of historical positions but represents a significant shift. This change has led to Norway being perceived as an outlier, not only among its Nordic neighbors but in a broader European context.
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