H.E.Anne Kari Hansen Ovind
Norway’s Ambassador to Canada
150 Metcalfe Street, Suite 1300
Ottawa, ON  K2P 1P1
emb.ottawa@mfa.no

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

DearAmbassador,

Iam writing to you on behalf of the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for HolocaustStudies, a non-profit human rights organization committed to countering racismand antisemitism, and promoting the principles of tolerance, social justice,and Canadian democratic values through advocacy and education.

Overthe weekend it was disturbing to see reports that Norwegian MP Bjornar Moxnesnominated the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israelfor a Nobel Peace Prize. It is important to understand that thismovement, at its core, is antisemitic and is indeed an impediment to peace.

Boycottcampaigns singling out Israel are inherentlyantisemitic and discriminatory by focusing only on goods produced byJewish-owned companies while negatively impacting the empowerment of localresidents, including Palestinians, regardless of their ethnic or religiousbackgrounds. According to the International Holocaust RemembranceAlliance, of which both Norway and Canada are members, this double standardapplied to Israel is a form of antisemitism.

Asthe Canadian Government condemned the BDS movement through a parliamentarymotion in 2016, it is important that Norwegian officials strongly condemn Mr.Moxnes’ actions, and recognize that the BDS movement for what it is, a hatefuland antisemitic movement used as a tool to attempt to delegitimize the JewishState of Israel.

Thankyou in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Avi Benlolo
President & CEO
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies