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Norway’s Peace and Justice Party Joins Planned Oslo Demonstration Supporting Hamas, Iran and Hezbollah
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Demonstration Details
A demonstration organized by the activist group Solidarity Network is scheduled for October 7 in Oslo. The event’s slogan is “Support the Palestinian resistance!” and its promotional material depicts Hamas and Palestinian fighters atop a tank after the October 7, 2023 breach of the Gaza defensive wall. Norway’s Peace and Justice (FOR) political party is listed as a participant, alongside affiliated groups such as the Lebanese Association in Norway, FOR Youth, Resistencia Intifada, Resistencia Oslo, Student Intifada and Young Communists.
Organizers and Affiliations
FOR, a party founded in 2023, is led by Leraand, a former deputy leader of the left-wing Red Party (Rødt). The party’s involvement is part of a broader coalition of left-leaning and pro-Palestinian organizations that have coordinated the October 7 rally.
Founder’s Position
He has previously declined to condemn Hamas and Hezbollah, characterizing their actions as a “legitimate resistance struggle” for the Palestinian people.
Shifts in Youth Participation
Oslo Socialist Youth (SU) had taken part in earlier iterations of the rally but, according to Aftenposten, has since withdrawn its involvement. The withdrawal follows internal debate over the event’s alignment with groups designated as terrorist organizations by many Western governments.
Potential Impact
The rally underscores a segment of Norway’s left-wing political spectrum that frames the Israel-Gaza conflict in terms of anti-genocide resistance. By publicly aligning with Hamas, Iran and Hezbollah, FOR and its partners may attract scrutiny from Norwegian authorities and the broader public, while also highlighting divisions within youth and activist circles over the appropriate limits of solidarity actions.