Between Criticism and Hostility: Jewish Experiences in a Polarised Time

How do Jewish people experience the increasingly polarised public debate surrounding Israel, Gaza and the Middle East? Where is the line between legitimate political criticism and antisemitism — and what happens when Jewish identity itself becomes entangled in political conflict?

Recorded during Arendalsuka 2026, this conversation explores Jewish experiences of navigating a public sphere in which discussions about Israel, Zionism and antisemitism have become increasingly intense and polarised.

The discussion looks beyond simple categories and asks how we can maintain space for disagreement, political criticism and difficult conversations without reproducing antisemitic ideas or reducing Jewish people and Jewish identity to positions in a political conflict.

The event brings together different Jewish perspectives and experiences, with a focus on complexity, identity, belonging and the consequences of polarisation.

Mellom kritikk og fiendtlighet: Jødiske erfaringer i en polarisert tid was organised by Kos & Kaos – The Nordic Jewish Network and Stiftelsen Rettferd as part of Arendalsuka 2026.

At Kos & Kaos, we work to create spaces where Jewish life, culture and identity can be explored in all their complexity — and where difficult conversations can take place without requiring everyone in the room to agree.

Recorded in Arendal, Norway, 13 August 2026.

Learn more about Kos & Kaos:www.kosogkaos.org