Newspaper publishes full-length editorial to say sorry for using massacre to criticise multiculturalism after "avalanche" of protest

Guardian
Harriet Sherwood

In an unusual move for a newspaper, the Jerusalem Post has published a full-length editorial apologising for a previous editorial which attracted widespread criticism for its comments on last months Oslo massacre.

Titled Apology to Norway, Fridays editorial in Israels leading English-language daily said the original leader column "squarely condemned the attack" in which 77 people were killed by an extreme rightwing gunman acting alone. "However, it also, inappropriately, raised issues that were not directly pertinent, such as the dangers of multiculturalism, European immigration policies and even the Oslo peace process."

The first editorial, published on 25 July, three days after the attacks, said: "While there is absolutely no justification for the sort of heinous act perpetrated this weekend in Norway, discontent with multiculturalisms failure must not be delegitimatised or mistakenly portrayed as an opinion held by only the most extremist elements of the right."

Steve Linde, the Posts editor-in-chief, swiftly posted an addendum to the online version, clarifying the editorial: "This editorial is not aimed at deflecting attention from the horrific massacre perpetuated in Norway, nor the need to take greater precautions against extremists from all sides."

However it failed to stem an avalanche – the Posts own word – of letters and comments criticising the editorial and some comment pieces. "Your editorial ... shockingly and shamelessly attempts to offer justification for [an] extremist violent act of terror," said one.

Anders Behring Breivik, the perpetrator of the Oslo attacks, posted a manifesto on the internet expressing extreme anti-Muslim views and support for far-right nationalism and Zionism. He cited at least one Jerusalem Post columnist as an influence on his thinking.

Fridays editorial concluded with the "hope that the Norwegian government and people will accept the Posts apology and forgive us for any offence or hurt caused by our editorial and columnists at this sensitive time".

It was not known if the original editorials author had been reprimanded. There was no one available at the Posts offices to comment.