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Jewish history and antisemittism

The research into antisemitism conducted by the Norwegian Center for Holocaust and Minority Studies examines the role that ideas about Jews have had in Norwegian society from the early 1800s to the present day. The research is interdisciplinary and aims to provide insights into key aspects of antisemitism as a historic and contemporary phenomenon in Norway, thereby reinforcing antisemitism as a separate field of study.

Brick wall with symbols imprinted in the bricks
The wall outside the Remah-synagogue in the Kazimierz district in Krakow, Poland. (Adobe Stock Photo)

While antisemitism has long historical roots in Norway, it is also an extremely topical issue. Studying historical hatred of the Jews creates a basis for understanding antisemitism as it is expressed in our own era. At the same time, it provides a solid factual foundation for a comparative examination of related xenophobic and racist phenomena.

Opinion polls

For over a decade, the Norwegian Holocaust Center has been conducting research into the public’s attitudes to Jews and Muslims in Norway. This enables us to track developments over time. 

The Norwegian Holocaust Center has conducted three opinion polls: in 2012, 2017 and 2022. Attitudes to Jews were first polled in 2011, while the survey of attitudes to Muslims and minorities was carried out for the first time in 2017. A separate poll of young people’s attitudes was added in 2022. Attitudes to Roma people have been canvassed in all the opinion polls. 

​Researchers on Jewish history and antisemitism