Israeli criticism of Hamsun commemoration

The Israeli Foreign Minster Avigdor Lieberman has accused Norway of spreading antisemittic attitudes through the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of author Knut Hamsun (photo).

This is reported by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, who says Lieberman has been upset by the celebrations, according to NRK.

Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre says to NRK that he strongly dissociates himself from Lieberman’s accusations.

Støre has earlier emphasised that the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Knut Hamsun is a tribute to the literary achievements of Hamsun, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1920.

The Hamsun anniversary in no way condones Hamsun’s support for the Nazi regime. He received massive condemnation for this after the war, and his pro-Nazi activities must continue to be condemned, the Norwegian Foreign Minister stated.

Source: Norway Post