Jews In Austria: A Community Under Threat?

Austria's Jewish population has a long history, dating back to the 3rd century CE. However, over the centuries, the community has faced persecution, deportations, and antisemitism, with the Holocaust drastically reducing their numbers. During World War II, the country was annexed by Nazi Germany, leading to the displacement and murder of thousands of Jews. While Austria has since acknowledged its role in the Holocaust and made efforts towards restitution and combating antisemitism, recent years have seen a rise in anti-Semitic incidents, causing concern among the Jewish community, which now numbers around 10,300–15,000 individuals.

Historical antisemitism in Austria

The history of antisemitism in Austria is long and complex, dating back to the first millennium CE. While there is fragmentary documentation of a Jewish presence in the region during this time, the first concrete evidence of a Jewish community in Austria emerges in the 12th century, with the existence of two synagogues. Over the centuries, the political status of Jews in Austria fluctuated, with periods of relative prosperity and equality interspersed with eras of pogroms, deportations, and antisemitism.

In the 13th century, the Jewish community in Austria began to flourish, particularly after Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II declared Jews to be a separate ethnic and religious group, granting them certain rights and protections. However, this period of prosperity was short-lived, as tensions and jealousy from the Christian population, as well as hostility from the Catholic Church, led to increased animosity towards Jews.

The 14th and 15th centuries saw a decline in the Jewish population in Austria due to unfair treatment and scapegoating. In 1420, a false accusation of desecration of the sacramental bread led to the imprisonment and burning alive of 210 Jewish men, women, and children, while the rest of the community was deported and had their belongings confiscated. The Middle Ages ended in a bloody manner for the Jews in Austria, with the Vienna Gesera in 1421.

The reign of Leopold I in the 17th century was marked by frequent persecution and deportation of Jews from various areas, including Vienna. During this period, Jews were subjected to different laws aimed at curbing their population growth. Despite this, there were some notable Jewish figures in Leopold's court, such as his economic advisor, Samson Wertheimer.

The Enlightenment era brought some relief, with the Edict of Tolerance in 1782 granting civil rights to Jews. However, it wasn't until 1867 that Jews were officially recognized as equal citizens. This recognition, along with the Jewish Act of 1890, which established the legal basis for the relationship between religious associations and the state, led to a rapid growth in the Jewish community. By 1900, the Jewish population in Austria had reached approximately 147,000.

However, the rise of Nazism in the 20th century dealt a devastating blow to the Jewish community in Austria. The annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938 resulted in the persecution, deportation, and murder of thousands of Jews. Synagogues were destroyed, businesses were looted, and those who didn't flee the country were sent to concentration camps. The Holocaust drastically reduced the Jewish population in Austria, leaving only 8,140 Jews according to the 2001 census.

In conclusion, the history of antisemitism in Austria is characterized by fluctuating periods of tolerance and persecution. While there were times of relative prosperity and equality for Jews in Austria, particularly during the Enlightenment era and under certain rulers, these periods were often followed by waves of antisemitism, deportations, and even mass murder. The Holocaust remains the darkest chapter in this history, with the Jewish community in Austria bearing the brunt of Nazi terror and suffering irreparable losses.

The Holocaust and its effects on Austrian Jews

Before the Holocaust, Jews played an important economic and cultural role in Austria, with many prominent figures in the sciences, arts, business, and industry. In 1938, there were around 192,000 Jews in Austria, comprising almost 4% of the total population and 10% of Vienna's population.

However, the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in March 1938, known as the "Anschluss," marked a turning point. This event was preceded by a prolonged period of economic stagnation, political dictatorship, and intense Nazi propaganda within Austria, and it was met with enthusiastic support from most Austrians. The German racial Nuremberg Laws were immediately applied, and Jews were subjected to violent persecution, disenfranchisement, and humiliation.

The Central Office for Jewish Emigration, led by Adolf Eichmann, was established to accelerate the mass emigration of Jews from Austria. Between 1938 and 1940, about 117,000 Jews left the country. Those who remained endured further horrors, including the destruction of synagogues during Kristallnacht in November 1938 and the confiscation of their property.

From October 1939 onwards, the deportation of Austrian Jews to Poland and other parts of occupied Eastern Europe began. They were sent to ghettos and, later, to death camps. The Viennese community was officially liquidated on November 1, 1942, leaving only about 7,000 Jews in Austria. The deportations continued until March 1945.

The Holocaust resulted in the deaths of approximately 60,000-65,000 Austrian Jews, with fewer than 800 surviving until the liberation of Vienna by Soviet troops in April 1945. The Jewish community in Austria was devastated, and the effects of this tragedy continued to shape the lives of those who remained or returned after the war.

In the aftermath of World War II, the surviving Austrian Jews faced challenges in rebuilding their community. The Kultusgemeinde, the remaining Jewish community, initially consisted of around 4,000 members, many of whom were elderly. They struggled with limited resources and faced ongoing anti-Semitism. Efforts to recover confiscated property and negotiate compensation were met with obstacles due to Austria's "First Victim" narrative, which portrayed the country as a victim of Nazi aggression rather than a perpetrator.

Despite these challenges, the Jewish community in Austria has persevered and rebuilt itself over the years. Today, the community is represented by organizations like the Federation of Austrian Jewish Communities and the Israelitische Kultusgemeinde (IKG) in Vienna. While anti-Semitism persists in some parts of the country, Austria has implemented various programs and incentives to support Holocaust education and combat anti-Semitism.

Post-war restitution and compensation for Austrian Jews

Austria's Jewish community has a long history in the country, dating back to the times of the Roman Empire. However, it suffered a significant blow during World War II due to the Holocaust, with only a small fraction of Jews remaining in the country by the war's end. After the war, the Austrian government made efforts to provide restitution and compensation to the Jewish survivors and their descendants. Here is an overview of the post-war restitution and compensation measures for Austrian Jews:

• National Fund for Victims of Nazi Persecution: This fund provided one-time payments of €5,087.10 to survivors from Austria, with no deadline to apply. An amendment was later made to provide a supplemental compensation payment of $7,000 for household and personal property losses, as well as lost leases. A second supplemental payment of €1,000 was also announced in September 2004 for Jewish victims of Nazi persecution in Austria who received the initial $7,000 payment.
• Social Welfare Benefits: Austrian Jewish victims of Nazi persecution could qualify for old-age, disability, and survivor pensions. The Claims Conference's Committee for Jewish Claims on Austria (CJCA) negotiated retroactive contributions at a reduced rate, making it easier for victims to access these benefits.
• General Settlement Fund: This fund provided compensation for victims of National Socialism, including those who suffered loss or damage due to events that occurred in Austria during the Nazi era or World War II. The fund offered compensation to people who emigrated from Austria between March 4, 1933, and May 9, 1945, in response to political, religious, or other forms of persecution.
• Austrian Reconciliation Fund: This fund addressed slave and forced labor issues, specifically targeting Hungarian Jews deported to Austria and Austrian Jews forced to labor before emigrating.
• Austrian Bank Settlement: In 2000, a $40 million agreement was reached between Bank Austria and American class-action lawyers. This settlement allowed survivors and heirs to claim outstanding bank accounts, securities, savings books, money sent to concentration camp prisoners, or losses of private property.
• Art Restitution: In 1998, the Austrian government introduced the Art Restitution Act to address the issue of art stolen by the Nazis. This led to the restitution of artwork and other cultural items to their rightful Jewish owners or their descendants.
• Austrian-Jewish Cultural Heritage Act: Passed in 2021, this law is considered a key element in the National Strategy against Antisemitism. It aims to preserve and promote Jewish culture and heritage in Austria.
• Compensation for Survivors and Heirs: The Austrian government has provided financial compensation to survivors and heirs of the Holocaust, including payments for lost housing, destroyed businesses, and liquidated bank accounts.
• Recognition and Condemnation: In 1994, Thomas Klestil, the first president of the Austrian Republic, publicly condemned Austria's involvement with the Nazis during the Holocaust. This marked a shift away from the "Austrian Victim Myth."
• Education and Awareness: Austria has implemented various programs and incentives to support Holocaust education and combat antisemitism. One example is the "Austrian Service Abroad," which sends young Austrian volunteers abroad to promote Holocaust awareness and remembrance.
• Amendment of Citizenship Law: In September 2019, Austria amended its citizenship law to allow direct descendants of victims of National Socialism to regain Austrian citizenship. This change took effect on September 1, 2020, and has benefited many applicants.

These measures reflect Austria's efforts to provide restitution and compensation to the Jewish community affected by the horrors of the Holocaust. While the process has been ongoing, it demonstrates the country's commitment to addressing the injustices of the past and promoting reconciliation.

The rise of the far-right in Austria

Austria's history with the far-right is a long and complex one. The country's Jewish population has been subjected to various degrees of persecution and violence throughout the centuries, with the far-right gaining traction and support over time.

The Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) is a political party that has been described as far-right, right-wing populist, national-conservative, and eurosceptic. It was founded in 1956 as the successor to the Federation of Independents (VdU), which was established by former Nazi functionaries and SS officers in 1949. The FPÖ has been led by Herbert Kickl since 2021 and is currently the largest of five parties in the National Council, winning 28.85% of the votes in the 2024 election.

One key factor in the rise of the far-right is the leadership of Jörg Haider, who became the leader of the FPÖ in 1986. Under his leadership, the party underwent an ideological shift towards right-wing populism, which resulted in increased electoral support. However, this also led to a splinter group forming, known as the Liberal Forum, in 1993. Haider's radical right-wing politics made these views socially acceptable once again, and the FPÖ set a precedent in 2000 when it formed a coalition government with the centre-right Austrian People's Party (ÖVP). This was the first time since World War II that a western democratic government had included an explicitly extreme-right party.

Another factor contributing to the rise of the far-right in Austria is the country's response to the refugee crisis and increasing immigration. The FPÖ has capitalised on anti-immigrant sentiment and portrayed itself as a defender of Austrian identity and cultural values. This has proven to be a successful strategy, as the party's support has grown significantly, particularly among young people.

In addition, the FPÖ has been able to exploit dissatisfaction with the political establishment and economic hardships. The party has positioned itself as an anti-establishment force, criticising the concentration of power among the elite. This has resonated with voters who feel let down by the traditional parties.

The far-right in Austria has also been influenced by pan-German nationalism and anti-Semitism. Historically, the FPÖ has been associated with national liberalism and pan-Germanism, and its early leaders included former Nazis and SS officers. While the party has since distanced itself from some of these ideologies, it continues to stoke anti-Semitic sentiments and oppose immigration, particularly from Muslim-majority countries.

While there have been efforts to counter the far-right, such as the formation of liberal-left parties and the implementation of strategies to mobilise progressive voters, the far-right continues to be a significant force in Austrian politics, with the FPÖ winning the 2024 general election. The challenge for democratic parties remains to stem the rise of the far-right and protect liberal-democratic values.

Current status of antisemitism in Austria

Austria has a long history of antisemitism, which has persisted to the present day. The country's Jewish population has never recovered from the Holocaust, and today stands at around 10,300–15,000, with most living in Vienna.

In recent years, there has been a rising trend in antisemitic incidents in Austria. Jewish leaders have noted an increase in antisemitic incidents, including verbal abuse of a rabbi and the posting of a cartoon by the country's far-right party chief, which was widely seen as antisemitic. There has also been a debate over the legality of infant male circumcision, which has further stoked tensions.

The far-right Freedom Party, which has been accused of antisemitism, consistently polls above 20% and could be part of a coalition government. The party's leader, Heinz-Christian Strache, has posted a cartoon that was widely condemned as antisemitic.

The Austrian government has taken some steps to address antisemitism, including adopting the IHRA working definition of antisemitism in 2017. The country also has various programs and incentives to support Holocaust education and combat antisemitism. However, latent antisemitism remains an issue in several rural areas, and some hotels and apartments in the town of Serfaus have been known to bar guests who are identified as possible Orthodox Jews.

Overall, while there have been some efforts to address antisemitism, it remains a concern for the Jewish community in Austria, and the country continues to grapple with its complicated history and the role that Austrians played during the Holocaust.

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