With Israel for Peace

With Israel for Peace, known in Norwegian as Med Israel for fred and commonly abbreviated as MIFF, is a Norwegian pro-Israel advocacy organization founded in 1978. It presents itself as non-religious and non-partisan, and focuses on public education, political advocacy, membership organizing, media criticism, and public events related to Israel and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. A central concern of the organization is what it regards as persistent negative or one-sided treatment of Israel in Norwegian mainstream media. MIFF responds through articles, public statements, lectures, rallies, member communications, and campaigns intended to present arguments favorable to Israel and to contest reporting or commentary it considers inaccurate. The organization began as a relatively small Norwegian association, with approximately 700 to 800 members during its early years. It expanded to around 2,000 members by 2008, approximately 10,700 by 2018, and about 14,000 registered members in 2024, according to the cited Wikipedia material. This growth has made MIFF one of Norway's most prominent organizations supporting Israel. By early 2014, it was reported to have more than twice the membership of the Palestine Committee of Norway, the country's principal pro-Palestinian organization. MIFF's activities have often intensified during periods of conflict involving Israel. In January 2009, during the First Gaza War, a peaceful MIFF rally in Oslo was attacked amid violent anti-Israel disturbances. During the 2014 Gaza War, MIFF publicly challenged statements made by Norwegian physician and activist Mads Gilbert, alleging that some of his claims about Israel were misleading. It also placed advertisements in Norwegian newspapers addressing those claims. In the same period, MIFF was accused by critics of encouraging coordinated complaints against NRK journalist Sidsel Wold and TV 2 journalist Fredrik Græsvik, illustrating the organization's contentious role in debates over Norwegian media coverage. MIFF held a large Oslo rally in August 2014 attended by as many as 600 people, with members of the Norwegian Parliament Hans Fredrik Grøvan and Kristian Norheim among the speakers. The organization reported record receipts of approximately NOK 900,000 from gifts and membership fees that month; this figure is included as historical context rather than as a current financial measure. In 2015, MIFF became a co-founding member of the European Alliance for Israel, an association planned from 2013 and involving delegates from 15 European countries. MIFF was described as the largest participating group by membership. Following the Hamas-led attacks on Israel of 7 October 2023, MIFF organized an Oslo rally attended by approximately 500 people one week later. Speakers included politicians such as Progress Party leader Sylvi Listhaug. The event reflected MIFF's continuing use of public mobilization to express solidarity with Israel and to influence Norwegian discussion of the conflict. As of 2024, the organization's director is Conrad Myrland and its president is Lars Johan Nordgård. MIFF remains an active Norwegian advocacy association rather than a commercial product company, and its principal outputs are information, advocacy, events, and member-supported public campaigning.

With Israel for Peace, or Med Israel for fred in Norwegian, was established in 1978 as an organization supporting Israel in Norway. It developed from a small association into a substantial membership organization. Its early membership was reported at roughly 700 to 800 people, rising to about 2,000 by 2008. The organization subsequently expanded to approximately 10,700 members in 2018 and around 14,000 registered members in 2024. MIFF's public role has centered on advocacy rather than commercial activity. It describes itself as non-religious and non-partisan, while its main political and communications objective is to promote a favorable understanding of Israel and to challenge what it views as systematic negative bias in Norwegian media reporting. Its work includes publishing commentary and information, responding to news coverage, arranging lectures and rallies, mobilizing supporters, and participating in wider European pro-Israel networks. The organization has repeatedly become more visible during periods of armed conflict. In January 2009, a peaceful MIFF demonstration in Oslo was attacked during violent anti-Israel riots associated with the First Gaza War. During the 2014 Gaza War, MIFF mounted a public challenge to statements by Mads Gilbert, a Norwegian physician and prominent commentator on the conflict. MIFF placed newspaper advertisements disputing claims it attributed to Gilbert. Its media activism also drew criticism, with opponents alleging that it helped generate large numbers of viewer complaints against NRK reporter Sidsel Wold and TV 2 reporter Fredrik Græsvik. In August 2014, MIFF organized an Oslo rally attended by up to 600 people. Norwegian parliamentarians Hans Fredrik Grøvan and Kristian Norheim were among those reported as speakers. That month, the organization recorded approximately NOK 900,000 in gifts and membership fees, described in the source material as a monthly record. By early 2014, MIFF had reportedly grown to more than twice the membership of the Palestine Committee of Norway, indicating its strong position within Norway's organized debate over Israel and Palestine. MIFF broadened its international links in 2015 by becoming a co-founding member of the European Alliance for Israel. The alliance had been planned since 2013 and brought together delegates from 15 European countries. MIFF was described as the largest member organization by membership, giving it a significant role in European coordination among pro-Israel advocacy groups. After the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023, MIFF organized a solidarity rally in Oslo approximately one week later. Around 500 people attended, and speakers included Progress Party leader Sylvi Listhaug. The rally demonstrated the organization's continuing ability to mobilize public supporters during major developments in the conflict. As of the cited 2024 information, Conrad Myrland serves as director and Lars Johan Nordgård as president. MIFF's current identity is that of a Norwegian membership and advocacy organization whose principal activities are public communication, media criticism, educational outreach, political engagement, and event organization in support of Israel.

• 2024

  Membership reported at approximately 14,000

  [1]With Israel for Peaceen.wikipedia.org

  The organization was reported to have about 14,000 registered members.

• 2023

  Post-7 October Oslo rally

  [1]With Israel for Peaceen.wikipedia.org

  MIFF organized an Oslo rally attended by approximately 500 people about a week after the 7 October attacks on Israel.

• 2018

  Membership reached approximately 10,700

  [1]With Israel for Peaceen.wikipedia.org

  The organization was reported to have approximately 10,700 members.

• 2015

  Co-founded the European Alliance for Israel

  [1]With Israel for Peaceen.wikipedia.org

  MIFF became a co-founding member of a European pro-Israel alliance involving delegates from 15 countries.

• 2014

  Membership exceeded 10,000

  [1]With Israel for Peaceen.wikipedia.org

  By early 2014, MIFF had more than twice the reported membership of the Palestine Committee of Norway.

• 2009

  Oslo rally attacked

  [1]With Israel for Peaceen.wikipedia.org

  A peaceful MIFF rally was attacked during violent anti-Israel riots in Oslo amid the First Gaza War.

• 2008

  Membership reached approximately 2,000

  [1]With Israel for Peaceen.wikipedia.org

  The organization was reported to have grown from its early base of roughly 700 to 800 members to approximately 2,000 members.

• 1978

  Organization founded

  [1]With Israel for Peaceen.wikipedia.org

  With Israel for Peace, known in Norwegian as Med Israel for fred, was founded in Norway as a pro-Israel advocacy organization.

A member-supported Norwegian advocacy organization that describes itself as non-religious and non-partisan while promoting support for Israel and challenging perceived anti-Israel bias in media and public debate.

• Advocacy · 1978

  Advocacy and public education

  MIFF's core offering is public advocacy supporting Israel. It communicates political arguments, background information, and responses to developments in Israel and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict through its website, publications, public statements, and educational activities.

• Events

  Public events and rallies

  The organization arranges rallies, lectures, and other public gatherings intended to mobilize supporters and influence Norwegian debate. Its Oslo events in 2014 and 2023 demonstrate the role of public meetings in its advocacy model.

• Information and commentary

  Media commentary

  MIFF produces commentary and responses concerning Norwegian media coverage of Israel. A major part of its positioning is the claim that mainstream reporting can be negatively biased, leading the organization to challenge journalists, reports, and public statements it considers misleading.

• 2014

  Criticism over media pressure tactics

  MIFF was accused of helping stimulate large-scale viewer complaint campaigns against NRK reporter Sidsel Wold and TV 2 reporter Fredrik Græsvik during the 2014 Gaza War. The allegation concerned the organization's confrontational approach to Norwegian media coverage.

  Source

Read more

• 2023Post-7 October solidarity rally

  Norway

  About 500 people attended an MIFF rally in Oslo held roughly one week after the 7 October attacks on Israel. Political speakers included Progress Party leader Sylvi Listhaug.

  Outcome. The rally reaffirmed MIFF's public solidarity and mobilization role during a major escalation in the conflict.

  Source
• 2014Gaza War media-response campaign

  Norway

  During the 2014 Gaza War, MIFF publicly disputed statements attributed to Mads Gilbert and placed newspaper advertisements presenting its counterarguments. The campaign formed part of the organization's broader effort to contest Norwegian media narratives about Israel.

  Outcome. The campaign increased MIFF's visibility but also generated criticism over its treatment of journalists and commentators.

  Source
• 2014Oslo pro-Israel rally

  Norway

  MIFF organized a rally in Oslo during the 2014 Gaza War, attracting as many as 600 participants and featuring Norwegian parliamentarians among the speakers.

  Outcome. The event demonstrated MIFF's capacity to mobilize public support and coincided with a reported monthly record in gifts and membership fees.

  Source

• 2015

  Joined the European Alliance for Israel as a co-founderM&A

  Background

  MIFF sought stronger cooperation among pro-Israel organizations in Europe after planning for a continent-wide alliance began in 2013.

  Action taken

  The organization became a co-founding member of the European Alliance for Israel, which included delegates from 15 European countries.

  Aftermath

  MIFF was described as the alliance's largest participating organization by membership, expanding its role beyond Norway.

  Source

• 2023

  MIFF organized an Oslo rally after the 7 October attacks[1]With Israel for Peaceen.wikipedia.org

  Campaign

  Approximately 500 people attended an Oslo rally organized by MIFF one week after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel. Speakers included Progress Party leader Sylvi Listhaug.

• 2015

  MIFF joined the European Alliance for Israel[1]With Israel for Peaceen.wikipedia.org

  M&A · Other

  With Israel for Peace became a co-founding member of the European Alliance for Israel, an association involving delegates from 15 European countries.

• 2014

  MIFF challenged public claims during the 2014 Gaza War[1]With Israel for Peaceen.wikipedia.org

  Campaign · Other

  MIFF criticized statements by Mads Gilbert about Israel and published newspaper advertisements disputing claims it considered inaccurate. Critics also accused the organization of encouraging complaints against Norwegian television reporters.

• 2014

  MIFF held a major Oslo rally during the 2014 Gaza War[1]With Israel for Peaceen.wikipedia.org

  Campaign

  An MIFF rally in Oslo drew as many as 600 attendees and included Norwegian parliamentarians Hans Fredrik Grøvan and Kristian Norheim as speakers.

• 2009

  MIFF rally attacked amid Oslo anti-Israel riots[1]With Israel for Peaceen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  A peaceful rally organized by With Israel for Peace in Oslo was attacked during violent anti-Israel disturbances connected with the First Gaza War.

1. 1With Israel for Peaceen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Med Israel for fred official websitemiff.no