Number of Antisemitic Incidents in Austria Remains High

The government has announced that the revised National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism will be presented. The presentation will take place on November 10, as the responsible State Secretary Alexander Pröll (ÖVP) stated. "If we want to preserve Jewish life in Austria, it requires protection, solidarity, and a clear stance - every day," he said. They want to "send a clear signal," the current numbers are a wake-up call. "Antisemitism remains at a high level in Austria and is increasingly being accepted as normal," said Pröll.

Antisemitic Incidents in Austria Are Reported Less Frequently

"The antisemitic tsunami has become a continuous flood," emphasized IKG President Oskar Deutsch. The situation for Jewish people is threatening, but Jewish life remains a "self-evident part of Austria." This is only possible thanks to comprehensive security measures.

The statistics include five physical attacks, eight threats, 78 cases of property damage, 203 mass mailings, and 432 cases of offensive behavior. There was particularly frequent Israel-related antisemitism, antisemitic "othering," and trivialization of the Shoah. In 77 cases, there was a call for or glorification of terror against Jews. With 202 of the reported incidents, most were politically left-motivated. 195 came from Muslim individuals or organizations, 147 from the right. In 182 cases, the ideology could not be determined.

The reporting office only considers clearly antisemitic cases. The willingness to report is likely declining, "because those affected by antisemitism are increasingly withdrawing," it was said. In the summer months - after the reporting period - there was an accumulation of particularly threatening cases. The complete annual report is expected to be published in spring 2026. Politics, justice, and civil society must stand against antisemitism, demanded the IKG.

Karner: "Visibly Maintain Coexistence in Public"

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) agreed in a written statement: "The determined action against anti-Semitism is an essential part of our government's work." The state works well with the religious communities. "The mandate to the security authorities is clear: protection of the Jewish community in Austria, with the aim of visibly maintaining their coexistence in public," said Karner.

Integration Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) expressed herself in the foyer after the Council of Ministers about the numbers "deeply affected" and emphasized the background of the perpetrators: Muslim-motivated anti-Semitism ranks second in total offenses and at the top in actual attacks. "Violence against Jews is increasingly coming from Islamist-influenced milieus, and this is a very worrying development." For the federal government, it is clear that Jews in Austria must be able to live without fear at any time. "Anyone who threatens Jewish life in Austria also threatens our democracy at the same time."

"The results confirm, among other things, the close connection between developments outside of Europe and the radicalization against our Jewish fellow citizens in Austria," warned State Secretary Jörg Leichtfried (SPÖ). This development must be combated, also with a view to the past: "Remembrance must never mean stagnation. It obliges us to resolutely oppose anti-Semitism and actively protect Jewish life - in Austria, worldwide, and every day."

Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) wrote in a statement that the federal government and society must "act even more decisively against violence, hatred, and incitement." Therefore, the National Strategy against Anti-Semitism will be revised and democracy education expanded. "Because anti-Semitism is not only directed against Jews but also against our democratic fundamental values."

A consistent approach by the government was demanded by Lukas Hammer, the Green Party's spokesperson for memorial policy, in a press release. "As the Green Party, we have always stood against every form of anti-Semitism, no matter who expresses it." The fight against anti-Semitism is a "comprehensive and socio-political mandate," said Hammer.

(APA/Red)

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