Every year in September, when world leaders gather in New York City for the global leadership week of the United Nations, the Austrian Consulate General New York organizes meetings of the highest representatives of the Austrian Government with the principals of the major Jewish organizations in the United States. This year however, the traditional meeting had to take place in a virtual format.

On October 7, 2020, Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Federal Minister for the European Union and Constitution Karoline Edtstadler participated in a high-level video conference with representatives of the leadership of five Jewish organizations in New York and Washington, DC: Malcom Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Betty Ehrenberg, Executive Director of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), Daniel S. Mariaschin, CEO of B'nai B'rith and Mark B. Levin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry (NCSEJ). 

In the virtual conversation, Chancellor Kurz reiterated that Austria’s fight against all forms of anti-Semitism and the improvement of Austrian relations with Israel have always been strong priorities for his Government. The priorities of the current Austrian Government also include the promotion of Jewish life in Austria and the adoption of a larger national anti-Semitism strategy to combat the spread of this ancient hatred. The Austrian Government intends to triple spending on security for the Jewish community in Austria to around 4.7 million USD (4 million Euros). A corresponding legislative proposal is in preparation and will be introduced in Parliament in the coming weeks.

Later that day, Chancellor Kurz joined 1,500 dignitaries from all over the world, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a special virtual event honoring the work of David Harris, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, for 30 years at the helm of the Jewish advocacy organisation. Read more