Norwegian Police Close Case Against Lecturer Praising October 7 Hamas Attack

Norwegian police have closed an investigation into a university lecturer who described the October 7 Hamas attack as "the most beautiful thing that happened in our century." The lecturer, Sam Hussein, who teaches project management at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, made the statement during a lecture organized by the Socialist Forum in April 2026. The case was first reported by The Jerusalem Post in May 2026.

The university's Dean of Engineering, Vikas Thakur, stated that the university bears no responsibility for the incident since the lecture took place off-campus. Police investigator Arild Hansen and prosecutor Soniva Tronvoll informed the anti-antisemitism activist group StoppNRK that the case was closed because the reported behavior did not constitute a criminal offense. StoppNRK was notified that they may appeal the decision within three weeks.

On Alfalag, chairman of StoppNRK, condemned the decision, highlighting Norway's history where nearly half of the Jewish population was killed during the Holocaust. He called it unacceptable that Norway allows glorification of the terrorist group Hamas and confirmed the organization will appeal. Alfalag warned that it is becoming increasingly dangerous to be Jewish or oppose terrorism in Norway.

The case has sparked concern among Jewish and anti-terrorism activists in Norway, reflecting ongoing tensions regarding freedom of speech and hate speech laws in the country.