A Tribute to Hilde Henriksen Waage
When established truths are challenged, it requires both academic rigor and personal courage. Over several decades, Professor Hilde Henriksen Waage has demonstrated what this means in practice—and why the pursuit of truth remains essential for an informed democracy.
April 15, 2026 | SOURCES | NORWEGIAN POLITICS
The researcher who challenged the established narrative
Hilde Henriksen Waage is a professor of history at the University of Oslo and one of Norway’s leading scholars on the Middle East and Norwegian foreign policy. For many years, she has analyzed Norway’s role in peace processes, particularly in connection with the Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestinians. Her research has contributed to a more nuanced understanding of Norway as a neutral peace mediator, and she has challenged established narratives about Norwegian foreign policy.
The search for missing documents from the Oslo Accords
For more than 20 years, Waage has called for access to key documents from the Oslo process in the archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She has documented that important parts of the material are missing and has argued that this is not coincidental. According to her research, the absence of documentation may have contributed to maintaining an idealized image of Norway’s role in the peace process.
Waage has pointed out that some of the documents may exist outside state control, including in private archives or abroad, which further underscores the seriousness of the issue.
The whistleblower’s findings were ultimately confirmed, examined, and recognized
The issue of the missing documents gained renewed attention in the wake of investigations related to Jeffrey Epstein and connections to central Norwegian diplomats. During this investigation, classified documents from the Oslo process were reportedly found in private possession with peace mediator Terje Roed-Larsen.
This reinforces the relevance of Waage’s work. Her warnings point directly to an ongoing review of practices within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and raise questions about transparency, accountability, and the exercise of power in Norwegian foreign policy.
The resistance Waage faced
Waage has stated that she encountered resistance from key actors, that attempts were made to stop her work, and that she received threats. She was also asked to abandon her research in order to protect Norway’s role and reputation.
Her freedom of expression and academic freedom were challenged by resistance from institutional Norway. As a result of her public criticism of Norway’s role in the Middle East conflict, she was regarded as controversial and experienced being bypassed and marginalized.
Waage has said that during challenging years, she received support from her employer, the University of Oslo, and the academic community.
A prize for courage, integrity, and the pursuit of truth
Waage has been awarded the Fritt Ord Foundation’s Fritt Ord Prize (the Fritt Ord Award for Freedom of Expression) for her courageous and persistent work in bringing forward knowledge that challenges established truths. She has demonstrated how critical research can contribute to greater openness and a more informed public discourse—even in the face of resistance.
A role model for openness in research and public discourse
Society and Politics regards Hilde Henriksen Waage as a role model in the effort to uncover information and perspectives that, for various reasons, do not reach the media. Her work demonstrates the importance of questioning established truths and challenging them by informing the public about factual conditions.
In a complex geopolitical situation, she is a researcher who, with strong academic authority, reminds us that reality is not always as it is presented by authorities and the media.
SOURCES
UiO Det humanistiske fakultet (University of Oslo Faculty of Humanities)
Hilde Henriksen WaageFritt Ord (Fritt Ord Foundation)
Fritt Ord Prize 2026 awarded to Hilde Henriksen WaageNRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation)
Hilde Henriksen Waage receives the Fritt Ord PrizeUniversitetsavisa (University Newspaper)
The scariest thing you can do in Norway is to criticize IsraelAftenposten (Aftenposten)
Hilde Henriksen Waage: – At one point I considered seeking asylum in Sweden
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