IKG Demands Clear Words Against "Hatred of Israel"

"Jewish life in Austria must not become collateral damage of political agitation," warned IKG President Rosen on Monday. He described the disruption of the opening of the Salzburg Festival in a statement as a "targeted political provocation, carried by openly anti-Israel rhetoric." Almost simultaneously, alarming cases of open discrimination occurred when an Israeli family was denied entry to a campsite in Ehrwald, Tyrol, due to their origin, and guests from Israel were refused service in a Vienna restaurant.

The campsite operator in Ehrwald (Reutte district) strongly rejected the portrayal to ORF Tirol. If someone misbehaves, they would be kicked out, he explained. The affected Israeli couple did not follow his instructions during the site allocation and drove over a non-drivable meadow. Nationality or religion does not matter to him. He has also kicked out other nationals, the operator emphasized. According to a Facebook post by a person close to the couple, the campsite operator allegedly said, "No place for Israel - out."

IKG President Rosen Warns Against "Selective Outrage" Against Antisemitism

The political handling of these developments is "sobering," as they remain silent or dismiss the festival opening disruption as a "peaceful protest," Rosen criticized. "We repeatedly hear strong words at commemorative events and against antisemitism. But where are the loud friends of Israel now when it comes to concrete solidarity?" Rosen identified a dangerous and hypocritical "selective outrage." He questioned how safe Jewish people in Austria still are when such incidents barely make waves. "Antisemitism has many faces - and often begins with the silence of the majority," he called for a clear counteraction by Austria's politics, cultural institutions, and civil society. "Hatred of Israel is not legitimate protest," said Rosen. Those who exclude Jewish life damage the fundamental values of the republic.

Stocker and Babler Condemn Antisemitic Incidents

Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) and Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ) sharply criticized the reported discrimination against guests from Israel on Monday. "Antisemitism has no place in our country - not in words, not in deeds," emphasized Stocker in a post on X. Jewish life is a part of Austria. Those who reject people because of their Jewish identity stand against the foundation of Austrian society. "We clearly stand for Jewish life in Austria," Babler also emphasized in a statement. "Jews must be able to live in safety and free from antisemitism, and discrimination against tourists from Israel is unacceptable." The reported local ban far exceeds a historical red line, said Babler. "We do not want to be that as Austria." The two did not address the protests at the Salzburg Festival in their statements.

(APA/Red)

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