Security officers at Beirut International Airport discovered 750 grams of plastic explosives hidden in book covers within the backpack of Lars Gule on 6 May 1977. This event, occurring during his involvement with the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, resulted in a six-month prison sentence in Lebanon for illegal weapon possession and became a defining point in his public life.
Early Involvement and Detention
Born in Oslo in 1955, Gule became active in the Palestinian cause during the late 1970s. While traveling through Lebanon, he joined the DFLP, an organization he identified with the anti-imperialist struggle. Under the guidance of Khaled Nazzal, he prepared for an operation in Israel. Following his arrest in Beirut, Gule reported being subjected to interrogation techniques, including physical abuse. Although he faced charges for attempting terrorist acts, the court acquitted him of that specific crime, convicting him instead of weapons possession. Upon his return to Norway in November 1977, he was questioned by domestic authorities, who opted not to pursue further legal action.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Academic Career and Research
Gule pursued studies in history, philosophy, and social science at the University of Bergen. He earned his doctor artium in 2003, presenting a dissertation that compared Western and Arab-Islamic approaches to social and political reform. His professional history includes coordinating the Nature, Society and Water research programme at the University of Bergen and acting as a research fellow at the Chr. Michelsen Institute. He later transitioned to teaching at Oslo University College, which eventually became OsloMet. His tenure there focused on multicultural studies, professional practice, and, following the 2011 attacks in Oslo and at Utøya, the study of radicalization.
Leadership in Humanism
Between July 2000 and December 2005, Gule served as secretary general of the Norwegian Humanist Association. His time in this administrative role concluded following disagreements with the organization's executive board. Throughout his career, he has remained a frequent commentator in Norwegian media regarding developments in the Middle East, Islamic studies, and the nature of extremist movements, often providing expertise on how these factors interact within a multicultural society.
Fast facts
- Born: 1955, Oslo, Norway
- Education: University of Bergen Faculty of Humanities
- Academic Degree: Doctor artium
- Professional Role: University teacher
- Humanist Association Secretary General: 2000–2005
- Fields of Research: Extremism and multiculturalism
Questions readers ask
What was the nature of the DFLP operation Gule was involved in?
He was tasked with transporting explosives for a potential attack in Israel, although he claimed he sought to avoid taking human life.
What is his primary academic focus today?
He concentrates on multicultural understanding, professional ethics, and the analysis of extremism and radicalization.
Achievements
- Held posts at Oslo University College
- Fields: extremism
