In August 2006, author Jostein Gaarder created a controversy in Norway after publishing an op-ed "God's chosen people" in the Aftenposten, one of the country's major newspapers, in which he compared Israel to Taliban regime in Afghanistan, and declared that Israel has lost its right to exist. The text is perceived by some as attacking not only Israel and Israeli policy, but also Jews and Judaism in general, and as an example of New antisemitism. Subsequently Gaarder clarified his views on Israel. Specifically, he said that he does not question Israeli right to exist, "but not as an apartheid state". Gaarder has repeatedly dismissed suggestions that his article was anti-Semitic.