NEW YORK—A meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York showed increasingly close relations between Jerusalem and Vienna.
During the meeting, Netanyahu expressed appreciation for a series of decisions and actions that the Austrian government led by Chancellor Kurz has adopted in recent months. ‘’There is mutual appreciation among the two,’’ said the Prime Minister’s Office.
Chancellor Kurz briefed Netanyahu on the steps that have been taken by his government and Austrian parliament ‘’which reflect their appreciation for the Jewish community, commitment to its heritage, the memory of the Holocaust and the struggle against antisemitism, including the closure of Aula, a publication identified with the Freedom Party.’’
He also noted that his government is advancing additional steps related to the security of the Austrian Jewish community and its welfare. ‘’The two leaders welcomed the dialogue that exists between Jewish community leaders and the governments,’’ the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said.
The Freedom Party, led by Heinz-Christian Strache, is part of the coalition government. Strache is also Vice Chancellor.
Austrian Jews are staunchly opposed to the party, known by its German acronym FPOe, arguing that it has not done enough to distance itself from its anti-Semitic past and that it still promotes problematic positions.
Since FPOe’s rise to parliament in Austria’s 2017 election, Israel has maintained a policy of keeping official contact with the party at the civil service level only, avoiding any contact with ministers.
During a visit to Israel last June, Chancellor Kurz vowed to advocate for Israel in Europe, and reiterated his commitment to stamp out anti-Semitism, despite his alliance with FPOe.
“We will try to raise awareness in Europe for the special situation and the special security needs of Israel,” he said.
Austria assumes since July 1 the European Union’s presidency of the Council of Ministers. .
“We Austrians know that in light of our own history, we have a special responsibility toward Israel and the Jewish people,” Kurz said. “I can assure you that Austria will fight all forms of anti-Semitism in Europe with determination, be it still an existing one, or also newly imported anti-Semitism.”
When Iranian president Hassan Rouhani visited Vienna in July, Kurz wrote: ”In my meeting I emphasized that Israel’s security is non-negotiable for us. Questioning Israel’s right to exit or downplaying the Holocaust is absolutely unacceptable.”