Middle East researcher Hilde Henriksen Waage states that critical remarks made by former State Secretary Raymond Johansen in 2007 formed part of a prolonged political undermining of her research, a topic that returned to public discussion following the Storting’s recent hearing on the Epstein documents.
Raymond Johansen and the 2007 Criticism Controversy
In 2007, Raymond Johansen stated to NRK that several individuals perceived Waage’s analyses as one-sided and exceptionally critical of Israel. Addressing Khrono recently, Johansen maintained that criticizing professors and other academics must remain entirely legitimate.
Waage argues that Johansen’s remarks served to cast her as a political actor rather than engaging with her actual research findings. She told Khrono that officials engaged in an ongoing effort to undermine her as a researcher and branded her as a pro-Palestinian political figure carrying an agenda.
Did You Know? Hilde Henriksen Waage received the Fritt Ord Prize for her courageous and critical research, which repeatedly challenged the established narrative regarding Norway’s position as a Middle East peace mediator.
Drapstrusler and Street Assault During 2007 Debate Climate
During the period when her research questioned Norway’s traditional peace-mediation narrative, Waage experienced severe hostility, including numerous death threats sent to her home via phone and mail. She recounted an incident in 2007 where a woman crossing Pilestredet hurled verbal abuse and attempted to strike her with a glass bottle before her companion intervened.
Waage points to this tense environment as the context surrounding Johansen’s public statements. Dagsavisen notes that her findings repeatedly ran counter to prevailing public opinion, leading critics to question her source reliability.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre Faces Backlash Over Parliamentary Hearing Responses
During the parliamentary hearing, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre defended the right of officials to criticize academics, stating that professors frequently target government ministers negatively and must expect responses in return. He asserted that a state secretary expressing political disagreement with a professor falls within acceptable bounds.
Waage strongly rejected Støre’s position, arguing that the Prime Minister reduced her once more to a participant in a political dispute rather than acknowledging her academic role. Waage also criticized the Storting hearing itself, asserting that representatives arrived underprepared and failed to uncover significant new information, excepting Espen Barth Eide.
Raymond Johansen Defended Academic Criticism and Hilde Henriksen Waage Reported Death Threats
What did Raymond Johansen say about Hilde Henriksen Waage in 2007?
Raymond Johansen stated to NRK in 2007 that multiple people viewed Waage’s analyses as one-sided and heavily critical of Israel. In recent comments to Khrono, he maintained that criticizing academics must be completely legitimate.
What specific security threats did Waage report facing in 2007?
Waage reported receiving numerous death threats, phone calls, and letters at her home. She also described an incident in Pilestredet where an individual shouted insults and attempted to strike her with a glass bottle.
How did Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre respond during the Storting hearing?
During the Epstein documents hearing, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stated that professors who criticize government ministers must expect answers in return. He added that a state secretary expressing political criticism toward a professor is acceptable.
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