Pröll on Antisemitism: "Concerns Us All"

Salzburg's Archbishop Franz Lackner and State Secretary Alexander Pröll (ÖVP) warn of growing resentments against Jews in Austria in connection with the Gaza conflict. The chairman of the Bishops' Conference recognizes "a new wave of anti-Semitism that was hardly thought possible." State Secretary Pröll emphasized that such attitudes must not be allowed to become socially acceptable again.

Lackner present at Gaza protest action

Lackner was personally present at a Gaza protest action on the occasion of the opening of the Salzburg Festival. In his statement published on Tuesday morning, the bishop directly refers to this. A good heart will understand the activists' demand for an end to the war in the Middle East: "But the partially masked faces and the palpable aggression of the activists were not an advertisement for understanding and peace, not a contribution to overcoming the friend-enemy mindset."

The Archbishop also shows disapproval of Israel's policy against the Palestinians. Criticism of the actions in Gaza is also expressed in Israel itself, Lackner emphasized: "Even if we recognize Israel's right to exist and self-defense, we cannot remain silent when the war, which was unleashed in such a way, has claimed tens of thousands of civilian victims in Gaza almost two years later; when we hear reports that countless others, including infants and children, are endangered by hunger and need."

Lackner also names the trigger of the war. One cannot remain silent when Hamas "in the largest pogrom since 1945" has cruelly murdered thousands of Jews and abducted many. Nor can one remain silent when hostages are still being held captive in basements.

The bishop is shocked by the consequences of the escalation in this country, a country that stands in historical and lasting responsibility. It is unacceptable to him if Jewish life can no longer be offered a safe place.

Pröll on anti-Semitism: "Comes from everywhere a little bit"

Pröll emphasized in a written statement that he sees the "tensions in the Middle East" as unsettling. However, one must not allow "this war to divide our society" or for anti-Semitic attitudes to become socially acceptable again. Anti-Semitism "comes from the right, from the left, from migrant milieus. It comes from everywhere a little bit," said Pröll.

The conflict in the Middle East must not lead to Jewish life in Austria being questioned again and coming under pressure, and Jews having to justify or hide their origins: "That is not the Austria I believe in."

(APA/Red)

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