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NTNU Professor Calls Hamas Attack 'Most Beautiful Thing This Century,' Sparks Outrage
๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ด Norway /Conflict & Security

NTNU Professor Calls Hamas Attack 'Most Beautiful Thing This Century,' Sparks Outrage

From Aftenposten · (1h ago) Norwegian Critical tone

Translated from Norwegian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

- A professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) described the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 as

The comments made by NTNU professor Bassam Hussein, referring to the Hamas attack on Israel as "the most beautiful thing that has happened this century," have understandably caused outrage. These remarks, made during a lecture in Trondheim, are not only deeply insensitive but also a disturbing glorification of violence and terrorism. It is frankly astonishing that an academic, particularly one at a respected institution like NTNU, would express such sentiments.

As reported by Adresseavisen, the leader of the Jewish Cooperation Council, Ervin Kohn, rightly condemned the statements as "hair-raising." The lecture, held on April 21 and supported by Fritt Ord, was titled "The War Against Iran โ€“ Consequences for Europe and Palestine." While discussions on geopolitical conflicts are important, the framing of a brutal attack as "beautiful" crosses a line into unacceptable territory.

den vakreste ting som har skjedd dette รฅrhundret

โ€” Bassam HusseinNTNU professor characterizing the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.

This incident raises serious questions about the discourse surrounding the conflict and the responsibility of academics to foster understanding rather than incite hatred. While freedom of speech is paramount, it does not extend to celebrating acts of terror. The Norwegian public, like people worldwide, is grappling with the complexities of this conflict, but such statements from a professor are a profound disservice to any hope of reasoned dialogue and peace.

Dette er glorifisering av vold og terror. At en NTNU-professor kan komme med slike uttalelser er helt hรฅrreisende

โ€” Ervin KohnLeader of the Jewish Cooperation Council, commenting on Bassam Hussein's statement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.