Two Years After Hamas Attack: Van der Bellen Remembers October 7, 2023

In an online video, he recalled the suffering of the abducted hostages and their families, as well as the population in the Gaza Strip. "May October 7, 2023, finally come to an end!" he appealed.

Attack of October 7: "Largest Massacre of Jews Since the Nazi Era"

Van der Bellen described the attack of October 7 as "the largest massacre of Jews since the Nazi era." As he further stated in the three-minute video posted on social media, "the carnage of October 7 has set in motion a spiral of violence of unprecedented scale," which "continues to this day. A spiral of violence that has hit the people in Gaza with full force." He emphasized: "Nothing good can ever come from hatred and violence. Killing never solves political problems."

Van der Bellen again called for the release of all hostages by Hamas and an end to the hostilities. "The suffering that has befallen people on both sides must stop," he stressed. "The hostages must be released. The families in Gaza must finally be able to sleep peacefully - under a solid roof, without hunger, without fear of attacks."

At the same time, the Federal President condemned the recent expressions of anti-Semitism in Europe. "Personally attacking Jews (...) will not help the Palestinian people," he emphasized.

Foreign Ministry: Release of Hostages and Ceasefire Within Reach

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also commemorated the anniversary on Tuesday in an English-language social media post. "On this sad anniversary of the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, our hearts and thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the hostages who are still being held captive in Gaza," it stated. "The immediate release of all hostages and a ceasefire are now within reach. This moment must be used to pave the way for lasting #peace in the region based on the two-state solution."

Foreign Policy Spokespersons Sent Letter to IKG President Deutsch

On the day of remembrance, the foreign policy spokespersons of all five parties represented in the Austrian National Council sent a letter to IKG President Deutsch. The letter was jointly signed by Andreas Minnich (ÖVP), Petra Bayr (SPÖ), Susanne Fürst (FPÖ), Meri Disoski (Greens), and Veith Dengler (NEOS). "The inexcusable atrocities committed at that time caused terrible horror, left deep wounds, and are still not rationally comprehensible today - not in Israel, not in the Jewish diaspora, not in Austria," the letter, which is available to the APA, stated.

"On behalf of all parties represented in Parliament, we would like to express our deepest sympathy, condolences, and solidarity to you personally and to the entire Jewish Community: The Austrian Parliament stands with all Jews," the text continued. "We condemn all forms of anti-Semitism, hate, incitement, and violence and will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that Jews in our country feel safe, seen, and protected."

On October 7, 2023, terrorists from the radical Islamic Hamas, together with other Islamists, perpetrated the worst massacre in Israel's history. Approximately 1,200 people were killed at that time, more than 250 were abducted to the Gaza Strip. More than 400 visitors died at the Nova Festival near Reim in the south of the country alone. Israel responded with a military offensive. Since the beginning of the war, more than 67,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been killed, according to the health authority controlled by Hamas.

(APA/Red)

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