On January 21, 2021, Federal Minister for the EU and the Constitution Karoline Edtstadler and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler, presented the National Strategy of the Austrian Federal Government to combat and prevent all forms of anti-Semitism. The presentation was also attended by the President of the Jewish Community of Vienna, Oskar Deutsch, and Katharina von Schnurbein, the European Commission's Coordinator on Combating Anti-Semitism.

Federal Minister Karoline Edtstadler began by emphasizing that anti-Semitism has "many faces and forms of manifestation" and "the fight against it is a central concern of the Federal Government. Austria has a historical responsibility, especially against the backdrop of the Shoah, the darkest chapter of our history. She recalled the recent assaults against Jews in Austria such as the one last summer on Elie Rosen, the head of the Jewish community of Graz, as well as the terrorist attack in November 2020 in downtown Vienna, near the city’s main synagogue.

"Jews have been turned into enemy figures again and again throughout history. A wave of conspiracy theories with anti-Semitic content is sweeping through the internet. It scares me that it is spilling over from the digital to the analog world," Edtstadler emphasized. What was written on social media yesterday can now be experienced on the streets, she said. There are some groups that trivialize the Holocaust, she said. "As minister for constitutional affairs, I agree with the right to freedom of expression. But too many participants in protests are willing to accept that Nazi slogans are spread. Violence starts with words," the Minister said.

In 2019, the Austrian Jewish Community had registered about 550 anti-Semitic incidents, twice as many as five years ago, and many incidents were not reported due to embarrassment or a feeling of resignation. "We want to fight anti-Semitism at the margins and in the middle (of our society), no matter where it comes from and no matter whether it is imported or domestic,” the Federal Minister pointed out, referring to the prevailing tendencies. "With the Jewish Cultural Heritage Act, Jewish communities each receive four million Euros annually to promote Jewish life. The 38 measures from the various ministries that have now been drawn up are brought together in a strategy that is coordinated centrally in the Federal Chancellery and is to be implemented by a staff unit," Minister Edtstadler announced.

In 2018, during the Austrian EU Presidency, a definition of anti-Semitism was adopted by the EU Council, and all EU Member States were instructed to launch a national strategy against anti-Semitism. In Austria, the national strategy will serve as guidance and impetus for further action. Federal Minister Edtstadler is proud that Austria can now present a tangible approach: "One of the pillars is the security of Jewish institutions, which is to be achieved by strengthening cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior. In addition, there is the assurance of effective criminal prosecution accompanied by awareness-raising measures for law enforcement authorities."

Great emphasis will also be placed on documentation and EU wide exchange of information in order to identify and counter trends: "A documentation center will be set up in cooperation with the Jewish Community to collect data at the European level." Minister Edtstadler also annonced the launch of a platform for civil-societal exchange, as the involvement of civil society is key to success. “We are at the beginning of a process, a vision of a society free of anti-Semitism, where Jewish life can flourish. We are setting the course for the future to ensure that Jewish life is part of our society, which is why we want to protect it, promote it and make it visible," Edtstadler emphasized.

Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler emphasized at the presentation of the strategy that Austria has a historical and above all an everlasting responsibility and obligation to take a decisive stand against anti-Semitism. "We have to ensure the safety of Jews in our country." The cruel persecution of Jews by the inhumane Nazi regime had almost completely wiped out the Jewish community in Austria. People were deported to concentration camps, which many did not survive. Moreover, the misguided policies of the first decades of the Second Austrian Republic ultimately led to a situation in which the Jewish community in Austria today counts only about 15,000 members. Although the Jewish community once again enjoys a lively cultural life today, it is all the more frightening, when Jews are still confronted with anti-Semitic attacks, he added.

"The Republic has a responsibility to protect all its citizens and a special responsibility to protect Jewish life, culture and living space. Because  Jewish centers are regrettably today once again  the target of attacks by extremists," Kogler said. The starting point for hostilities against Jews are often conspiracy theories and the search for scapegoats.

The President of the Austrian Jewish Community, Oskar Deutsch, expressed his appreciation for the completion of the National Strategy against anti-Semitism, which must now be "filled with life". Even though a "unique Jewish religious community" was able to re-emerge in Austria after the Shoah, he said, there is still hostility towards Jews and violent attacks. "When words turn into deeds, it is already too late. Therefore, every person in this country is called upon to stand up against anti-Semitism where it manifests itself as prejudice," said Oskar Deutsch. Those who do not oppose hate speech accept that hatred and violence will arise.

The Austrian strategy was an "urgently needed step" and could serve as a model for other European Union member states. The Austrian Federal Government has thus shown how serious it is about protecting Jewish life and that the fight against anti-Semitism is a task for the entire country. Deutsch expressed his gratitude to the Austrian government and all those involved in developing the strategy. A commitment of politicians alone is, however, not enough, he added, it is up to all powers in society to participate in the strategy’s implementation.

The European Commission's Coordinator on Combatting anti-Semitism, Katharina von Schnurbein, congratulated the Austrian government on its "ambitious" National Strategy against anti-Semitism, which clearly puts Austria at the forefront of those countries that want to make Europe a safe home for Jewish communities.

Downloads:

• National Strategy against anti-Semitism ( in German)

• Factsheet (in English)
  

Presentation of the National Strategy against anti-Semitism (German with English subtitles):