What’s happening:

Israeli Member of Knesset (MK) Sharren Haskel has sent a registered letter to King Harald of Norway, inviting him to watch footage of the October 7 massacre and to meet with the Israeli victims.

Why it matters:

The move comes after reports that the Norwegian king was discouraged by his Foreign Ministry from offering condolences over the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Haskel’s letter is seen as an attempt to garner international condemnation of Hamas’s actions and to highlight the human rights violations committed by the Palestinian militant group.

The details:

The Letter’s Message:

Haskel’s letter emphasized the historical connection of the Jewish people to Israel and the importance of acknowledging this heritage. She detailed the brutal acts of the October 7 massacre perpetrated by Hamas, including the murder of a mother in front of her children and other horrific violence.

Advocacy for Condemnation:

The Israeli MK expressed the importance of King Harald’s voice in the Western world, urging him to take a stance against the massacre as a matter of human rights and moral leadership.

What they’re saying:

Haskel expressed hope that her outreach would lead to a positive response from the king, potentially resulting in a showing of the IDF footage in Norway or a visit to Israel to address the atrocities committed by Hamas.

Background:

The letter follows condolences from other monarchs, like King Charles of the United Kingdom, to Israeli leaders post-massacre. Norway has seen a rise in antisemitism since the Gaza war, prompting the government to announce a forthcoming action plan against it.

The bigger picture:

The outreach to King Harald is part of a broader effort by Israeli officials to seek international solidarity against Hamas’s violent actions and to highlight the ongoing struggle against antisemitism.

This story was first published on jpost.com.