“Left-wing anti-Semitism” is now “in focus” in this country, too, she added. “We were always relatively blind in our left eye; we always saw anti-Semitism from the right.”
In Edtstadler’s opinion, one problem is that there is still no judicature on certain slogans such as “From the river to the sea, Palestine must be free.” She hopes to be able to see the first decisions soon with the reform of the prohibition law, “so that the public can clearly see that these are not trivial offenses” but “are pure anti-Semitism.”
“Extent underestimated”
It seems as if the attack by the Islamist Hamas on October 7, 2023 in Israel has “opened a Pandora’s box,” said Edtstadler, referring to the “explosive” increase in anti-Semitic incidents. For comparison: In 2022 there were 1.97 incidents per day, in the period October 7th. until 31.12. There were 8.31 incidents alone, according to figures from the reporting office of the Israelite Community (IKG). “We underestimated the extent of anti-Semitism.”
“We were always aware that it was actually impossible to bring regarding an end to anti-Semitism, but it is necessary to fight once morest it consistently and permanently in our society,” said the Constitutional Minister. So far, 28 of the 38 measures in the national strategy once morest anti-Semitism have been fully implemented. Especially in the area of education, Edtstadtler referred to the internet portal www.erinnern.at, primarily for teachers. The implementation of the missing ten measures is in progress. She also referred to the Vienna conference once morest anti-Semitism taking place on Monday.
“Austria stands behind Israel”
Edtstadler also emphasized that Austria was “clearly” behind Israel; the hostages kidnapped by Hamas must be released. At the same time, the Constitutional Minister continued, more humanitarian aid is needed in the Gaza Strip, which Israel must allow.
On Sunday the day of remembrance once morest violence and racism takes place in memory of the victims of National Socialism. On May 5, 1945, the Mauthausen concentration camp in Upper Austria was liberated by the US Army. Between 1938 and 1945, almost 200,000 people from more than 40 nations were held captive in the Mauthausen concentration camp and its more than 40 subcamps, and around 90,000 did not survive.
