2023-11-06 18:15:08
The focus was on personal and property protection at Jewish institutions and the use of technical aids
Vienna (OTS) – Another security meeting took place at the Ministry of the Interior on November 6, 2023 between the Ministry of the Interior and the Israelite Community (IKG). In addition to Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and the President of the IKG Oskar Deutsch, the General Director of Public Security Franz Ruf, the Head of the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, the Vienna State Police President Gerhard Pürstl and representatives of the IKG took part.
The exchange between the Israelite religious community and the security authorities has a tradition going back decades and has been further intensified since the brutal terrorist attack by Hamas on the State of Israel: it now takes place several times a week at the level of the General Directorate or the Vienna State Police Directorate with the security officers of the Israelite religious community. On November 6, 2023, further visible and invisible measures were agreed. The use of technical aids to protect Jewish institutions and critical points in Jewish life is also being increased.
The current security situation is the focus of the discussions
The current security situation and its effects on the everyday lives of Jews were the focus of the discussions.
In particular, the crimes in connection with Israeli flags, the arson at the Vienna Central Cemetery and anti-Semitic hostility in public spaces and on the Internet were discussed.
In addition, the intensification of joint security measures on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the November pogrom was also explained and defined. Since the intensification, the police have worked a total of around 55,000 hours in property protection and increased presence in public spaces throughout Austria.
Police measures during meetings
The so-called “Pro Palestine demonstrations” have repeatedly presented the police with challenges since the Hamas terrorist attack. Each registration for a meeting must be checked individually and a ban is only possible in certain cases, which are very limited by case law.
Since October 7, 2023, nine meetings have been banned in Austria. More than 400 reports were filed as part of the meetings that took place. A total of around 70 reports on criminal law assessments have been submitted to the judiciary so far. This includes, among other things, chanting slogans, but also calls for violence once morest the State of Israel.
Quote from Gerhard Karner:
“The cooperation between the police, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the Israeli religious community has proven itself for decades. The focus of the close cooperation is the greatest possible protection for Jews in Austria.”
Questions & Contact:
federal Ministry of Internal Affairs
Ministerial Councilor Markus Haindl, BA MA
Press spokesman for the Federal Minister
+43 (0) 1-531 26 – 90 1021
markus.haindl@bmi.gv.at
www.bmi.gv.at
1699294529
#Karner #Deutsch #Security #dialogue #continued #Ministry #Interior