Norway's New King Faces Test Amid Strained Israel Ties and Rising Antisemitism

Norway's King Harald V has passed away, and his son, Crown Prince Haakon, has ascended to the throne during a period of significant diplomatic tension between Norway and Israel. Oslo's recent recognition of a Palestinian state has led Israel to consider closing its embassy in Norway, which has been without an ambassador since May 2024. The royal succession raises questions about the role of a constitutional monarchy when government policy towards Israel impacts the sense of belonging for the country's Jewish community.

While King Harald and his successor, King Haakon, do not shape foreign policy, the monarchy can influence the moral tone of society. During a 2014 state visit, King Harald emphasized Norway's support for Israel's UN membership, the abolition of historical anti-Jewish laws, and the persecution of Jews during the Holocaust, stressing the Jewish community's vital role in Norwegian society. He understood that the treatment of Israel and the treatment of Jews are distinct but interconnected, noting that hostile discourse about Israel can spill over to affect European Jews.

Following the October 7th attacks, Norway adopted a critical stance towards Israel, which is within its rights as a sovereign nation. However, the conflict has also heightened insecurity and antisemitic incidents within Norway's small Jewish community. King Harald and Crown Prince Haakon visited Oslo's synagogue in October 2024 to mark the anniversary of the attacks. Their presence, more than their words, signaled that Norwegian Jews should not face hatred alone due to a conflict thousands of miles away, without contradicting government policy.

King Haakon, as Crown Prince, has a history of engagement with Jewish heritage, including inaugurating the Jewish Museum in Oslo, attending memorial events, visiting Yad Vashem, and representing Norway at the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem. His role, distinct from political decision-making on issues like Gaza or Palestinian statehood, is to ensure that the growing diplomatic distance between Oslo and Jerusalem does not translate into a distance between Norway and its Jewish citizens. The challenge for the new king is to uphold this legacy, ensuring that Norwegian Jews feel secure and at home, even if diplomatic ties continue to cool.