2023-10-09 06:09:13
In view of the escalation of violence in Israel, Austria is stopping development cooperation with the Palestinians. “We will put all Austrian development cooperation payments on hold for the time being,” said Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) on Monday in the Ö1 Morning Journal. It is regarding 19 million euros. He also emphasized summoning the Iranian ambassador to the Foreign Ministry. About a hundred Austrians want to leave Israel.
“There are still scheduled flights”
“There are still scheduled flights and the border crossings with Jordan are still open,” explained Schallenberg. Around 8,000 Austrians live in Israel, and more than 200 are registered as travelers. The Austrian authorities are trying to “keep in touch with everyone.” Schallenberg emphasized that a mobile crisis team from the Foreign Ministry was on its way to Tel Aviv to reinforce the Austrian embassy in Israel. A crisis team is also deployed at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Schallenberg appealed to all Austrians in the Middle East to follow the news and follow the authorities’ instructions.
“The extent of the terror is so horrific. This is such a rupture that you can’t go back to business as usual,” said Schallenberg. Austria will therefore “review and evaluate” all projects with the Palestinian territories. Further steps will be discussed with international partners.
Some international reactions were “simply frightening,” explained Schallenberg. “The fact that there were cheering songs in Iran and official congratulations from the government to Hamas is simply unbearable.” The Iranian ambassador will be summoned to the Foreign Ministry on Monday “so that we can make it clear to him what we think regarding such disgusting reactions.”
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