The following article by our Norwegian sister section analyses the political context of the terrorist attacks committed by Anders Behring Breivik.

Concerning the terror bomb attack in Oslo and massacre in Utøya on Friday 22nd of July

Political violence in Norway has always come from the far right. While the police have concentrated on "radical Islamists", far right violence has happened again, this time to a very large, cruel and bloody extent. The NSF-IWA has expressed its condolences to the victims of this bloody terrorism and would like to state the following.

Introduction

As an introduction we will say that it is a dangerous climate during today`s capitalism that affects many countries and also Norway:

• Capitalism is in a severe crisis. Governments conduct austerity programs and become security states. Unemployment is rising. Immigrants are made into scapegoats of problems and asylum seekers are deported. In Norway, private sector pensions are cut with the support of the trade union LO, and other cuts are prepared. The Red-Green Government deported 4615 asylum seekers in 2010 and so far 2000 asylum seekers have been deported this year.
• Global capitalism exploits and conducts wars. The main threat after September 11th is radical Islam /terrorist groups. Norway takes part in the Afghanistan and Libya wars which are called humanitarian operations etc.
• Organizations like the Employers Association say that the waves of immigrants, pensioners and people on social- benefits are threatening the welfare model. According to them, immigration/immigrants with low education from non-western countries are not sustainable, and Norway should instead import high skilled workers. The Government has requested public reports concerning these issues.
• Parties who push for reactionary policies. In Norway, the Progress Party became the second largest party with 41 representatives in the 2009 national elections. Immigrants of “Muslim origin” are stigmatized. Behring Breivik was for some time a member of this Party.
• The far- right. The Nazis and Fascists/far- right are in Norway small groups, at least for mobilizations in the street. But the internet sites of the new far right have a big audience and support of ideas!

Present Fascism

The terrorist and Freemason Anders Behring Breivik is from the West side and upper class part of Oslo. Just before the terrible actions, he published his manifesto. He describes the Christian crusaders through history to present time and the preparations he made, which were according to him finished some hours before the attacks of 22nd July .

The killer`s opinions are part of a wider political and cultural shift as anti-Islamic and xenophobic web-sites, groups and organizations take root more and morea cross Europe. They say they are attacking Islam for so-called cultural reasons and that they are anti-racist, anti-fascist, anti-totalitarian etc. But let us be clear- this is only a way to build tactical fronts to get a bigger audience. The views of Behring Breivik have clearly the characteristics of Fascism:

• Nationalism and / or European identity, super-patriotism with a historic mission.
• Jews are replaced by Muslims as the enemy which must be fought and expunged from Europe. Islam is viewed as an existential threat to the world and leaders and governments are collaborators in allowing Islam to "infiltrate" the West.
• Conspiracy theories. The Protocols of the Elders of Zion were made in 1903 in Russia. Even though they were proved to be false before the Nazis introduced them to German schools in 1933, they were used as an “evidence” that the Jews were preparing to take over the world. Now it is the conspiracy of Eurabia. It is referred to a supposed protocol from the 70ties where Arab countries and European states are supposed to have an agreement where the Europeans should allow the “Muslims” to “invade” Europe.
• The Nazis/Fascists use of terms Jewish- Bolsheviks is now substituted by Islamic- Cultural Marxists.
• Populism and Elitism. The masses shall be mobilized, but the masses are only a tool for their own elitist thoughts and plans of ruling dictatorships.
• The fascist glorification of violence, and the military terms are used: The Muslims are occupying Europe, demographic increase is their weapon, as part of a secret plan with the Cultural Marxist traitors etc.
• This includes also glorification of so-called military orders. Behring Breivik writes he met others from all over Europe, and also a “Serbian crusader” and “war hero” who had killed many Muslims in battle. (Following EU rules he should be persecuted for alleged crimes against Muslims.)
• There is no doubt a violent line that runs through history and Behring Breivik is clearly in this tradition. The terrorist bomb that killed 8 people in Oslo and the massacre in Utøya that murdered 69, mostly young people between 14-22 years old, are considered by the government and press as the biggest attack since the World War II when the Nazis occupied Norway.

The song called “To the Youth” by Nordahl Grieg is sung all over Norway these days. Unfortunately there is little information in the media about the origins of this song which was made in order to fight the fascists in 1936. The fascist uprising 75 years ago in Spain was in many places fought back by workers who also seized industries and land.

Modern Fascism must be fought without ever forgetting the lessons of the Spanish workers. The working class must fight both against Fascism and for its working conditions and rights! And ultimately, to get rid of Fascism once and for all means getting rid of the system that time after time lets it (re)emerge – Capitalism.

Oslo, 2nd August 2011

NSF-IWA Arbeidsutvalget