Flashback to the 1930s

A few days ago a substantial majority of the Swiss people, against the wishes of their government and parliament, voted to forbid the building of minarets. This attack on the freedom of belief has naturally been endorsed by far-right wing parties across Europe. Here in Norway MP Per-Willy Amundsen (Progress Party) has said he finds the Swiss decision “interesting” and in VG yesterday there was a letter to the editor signed “Per, Bergen”, which read in full: “Now there must be a referendum on mosques also in our dear Norway”. Try substituting the word “mosques” with “synagogues” and it becomes obvious why this sounds eeriely familiar.