Wreath Laying at Name Wall: Government Commemorates Victims of the November Pogroms

Official Austria commemorated the victims of the November pogroms against the Jewish community 87 years ago on Friday. Several government members laid wreaths at the Shoah Wall of Names in Vienna's Ostarrichipark to remember the pogroms. The President of the Jewish Community (IKG), Oskar Deutsch, warned the media afterwards of a "tsunami" of anti-Semitic attacks worldwide.

IKG President Deutsch warns of "tsunami" of anti-Semitic attacks

In Austria, too, the number of attacks is increasing, said Deutsch. Through cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior, which protects Jewish institutions, Jews in Austria are safe. However, as was announced on Thursday, the Directorate of State Protection and Intelligence Service in Austria secured weapons attributed to Hamas. There is suspicion that the weapons were intended for possible terrorist attacks in Europe against Israeli or Jewish institutions. "This shows: the danger is getting closer," warned Deutsch.

To counter the rising anti-Semitism, politics is required. The revised anti-Semitism strategy is to be presented on Monday, Deutsch announced. "But developing a strategy overnight that eliminates the cancer of anti-Semitism is difficult." One of the most important "tools" is to bring anti-Semitic incidents to court as quickly as possible. "Everyone is required to stand up and say 'this is not acceptable'," Deutsch emphasized in conclusion.

Broad political participation - FPÖ not invited again

At the memorial ceremony on Friday morning, a large part of the federal government was present, starting with Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ) and the State Secretary responsible for anti-Semitism, Alexander Pröll (ÖVP). Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) continues to conduct his official duties from home following an operation. The Mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig (SPÖ), and the parliamentary leaders of NEOS and the Greens, Yannick Shetty and Leonore Gewessler, were also present - but not the President of the National Council, Walter Rosenkranz (FPÖ). The IKG has refused to hold talks with Rosenkranz and the FPÖ since he took office, citing numerous anti-Semitic incidents within the party. In his place, the third President of the National Council, Doris Bures (SPÖ), attended.

Open Letter from Cultural Figures

In an open letter, several cultural figures, including Nobel Prize-winning author Elfriede Jelinek, actors Cornelius Obonya and Katharina Stemberger, as well as authors Doron Rabinovici and Julya Rabinowich, drew attention to the increasing number of anti-Semitic incidents. "In recent years and decades, it has been appeals to civil courage that were supposed to keep us alert. They have obviously failed to have an effect: What we see is a constant shifting of the boundaries of what can be said, and anti-Semitic attacks, insults, and acts of violence are commonplace," it states. It is not about saying the wrong or right thing about the situation in the Middle East. What matters, what we are primarily responsible for, are the conditions in our society."

The November Pogroms of 1938

On the night of November 9 to 10, 1938, synagogues were systematically set on fire, Jewish businesses looted, and Jewish people mistreated throughout the "German Reich." In Austria alone, at least 30 Jews were killed, 7,800 arrested, and around 4,000 immediately deported from Vienna to the Dachau concentration camp.

(APA/Red)

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