The debate surrounding the conflict in the Middle East is extending beyond news outlets and influencing daily life in Danish schools. This concern was voiced by Özlem Cekic, a former Member of Parliament for the Socialist People’s Party, who described the Parliament’s presidium’s approach to the upcoming school election as “fear of contact.” She believes that attempts to “censor away” discussions about Israel and Palestine are detrimental.

Recent attention has also been directed towards Ishøj, a suburb of Copenhagen, due to its increasing population with non-Western backgrounds. Pia Kjærsgaard from the Danish People’s Party, during a visit with Frederik Vad from the Social Democrats, remarked, “It’s Pakistan.”

This statement has drawn criticism from residents, including Carsten Seeger, who has lived in Ishøj for six months. In a letter to the editor, Seeger refuted Kjærsgaard’s assessment, stating that Ishøj is “definitely… Denmark.” He acknowledged that it may not be the affluent Denmark Kjærsgaard is accustomed to, but rather a part of the country with less educated and poorer inhabitants, but “still… Denmark.”