Austria's Role In The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Austria's involvement in the Israel-Palestine conflict is complex and has evolved over time. The country has a history of supporting a two-state solution and actively participates in the Middle East Peace Process, maintaining high-level political contacts in the region. Austria has provided development assistance to the Palestinian Authority and other organizations, aiming for economic and social development to support the peace process. However, Austria's relationship with Israel has also been a significant factor in its stance on the conflict. With a desire for historical redemption and economic opportunities, Austria has positioned itself as one of the most pro-Israel members of the European Union. This stance has been criticized by some as playing with fire, especially given Austria's far-right political landscape.

Austria's suspension of aid to Palestine

Austria has historically played an active role in the Middle East Peace Process and has maintained high-level political contacts in the region. It has supported the implementation of a negotiated, lasting, and effective two-state solution and has participated in deliberations and decisions within the framework of the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy. Austria has also maintained an intensive development cooperation program with the Palestinian government, providing aid in fields such as health, water management, and the environment.

However, in October 2023, Austria suspended its aid to Palestine following a Hamas-led attack on Israel. Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg announced that the country was suspending aid totalling around 19 million euros ($20 million) for several projects. This decision was made in response to the deadly attack by Hamas militants, which killed 700 Israelis and abducted dozens. Austria's ruling conservative coalition, led by the People's Party (OVP), has positioned the country as one of the most pro-Israel members of the European Union in recent years.

Soon after Austria's announcement, neighbouring Germany also reviewed its aid to Palestine, and the European Union ordered its own review. However, the reviews found no evidence of funds going to Hamas, and Austria, Germany, and the EU all decided to continue their assistance. Austria's Foreign Ministry stated that there was "no indication that Austrian development projects funded by the ADA (Austrian Development Agency) were misused to fund or promote terrorism or to spread anti-Semitic content".

The suspension of aid by Austria and the subsequent reviews by Germany and the EU highlight the complex dynamics within the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. While Austria has historically supported the peace process and a two-state solution, its strong pro-Israel stance has influenced its response to the Hamas attack. The suspension of aid demonstrates how countries can leverage their foreign aid contributions to exert political influence and pressure in international conflicts.

On December 7, 2023, Austria ended its suspension of aid to Palestine, following the reviews that found no indication of funds being misused. This decision was made to support the humanitarian situation in Palestine, which was worsening due to the ongoing conflict with Israel. Aid agencies warned of a fast-worsening humanitarian disaster in Gaza, with most of its 2.3 million people homeless and lacking food, water, medical care, fuel, and secure shelter.

Austria's support for a two-state solution

Austria has long been interested in the Middle East, which has traditionally been a focus area of Austrian foreign policy. The country has supported the Middle East Peace Process and the implementation of a negotiated, lasting, and effective two-state solution. Austria has also established early relations with the Palestinians. In 1980, the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) mission to the international organisations in Vienna was accredited bilaterally to Austria. In 1998, Austria opened a Representative Office in Ramallah.

Austria does not recognise Palestine as a state bilaterally, but it supports a negotiated two-state solution in the Middle East Peace Process. Austria maintains an intensive development cooperation program with the Palestinian government (Palestinian Authority), UNRWA, and other development organisations in the fields of health, water management, and the environment, as well as in building sustainable and effective institutions. Austria has also opened a Representation to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah (West Bank) and granted the Palestinian representation in Vienna the diplomatic status of a Representation of Palestine.

Austria has also been one of the most pro-Israeli countries within the EU. The country recognised Israel shortly after its founding in 1949, and official diplomatic relations were established in 1956. In 2023, Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg announced that the two countries had entered into a strategic, extremely close relationship that could no longer be undone. Austria has an embassy in Tel Aviv, and Israel has an embassy in Vienna.

In 2023, Austria stopped all aid to Palestine after a Hamas-led attack on Israel. In both October and December of that year, Austria voted against a resolution for a ceasefire in the 2023 Israel-Hamas War. However, in December 2024, Austria ended its suspension of aid to the Palestinians, announcing that a review had found no indication that Austrian development projects funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) were misused to fund or promote terrorism or to spread anti-Semitic content.

Austria's relations with Israel

Austria and Israel have had a complex relationship since the founding of Israel in 1948. The fact that Adolf Hitler and other perpetrators of the Holocaust came from Austria gives the relationship between the two countries a special relevance. At the same time, the founder of Zionism, Theodor Herzl, also lived in Austria-Hungary, and many Israelis are descendants of Austrian Jews.

Austria recognised the State of Israel on 5 March 1949, and granted Israel a loan of 50 million shillings in the same year. Official diplomatic relations were established in 1956. In the 1970s, Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky sought a role as a mediator in the Middle East conflict and called for a Palestinian state, which caused disputes with the Israelis. Relations were strained again in the 1980s by the Waldheim affair, and in 2000 when the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) joined the coalition government, prompting Israel to recall its ambassador.

However, in recent years, the two countries have become close allies and established friendly relations. In 2022, a strategic partnership was concluded between Austria and Israel. After a Hamas-led attack on Israel in 2023, Austria stopped all aid to Palestine and voted against a resolution for a ceasefire in the 2023 Israel-Hamas War.

Economic relations between the two countries have expanded significantly as political relations have intensified. Between 2018 and 2022, Austria's exports to Israel increased by 50%. In 2023, Austria's total exports to Israel amounted to 540 million euros, while imports from Israel were valued at 339 million euros. Pharmaceutical products were the largest asset in trade, but machinery, vehicles, and special instruments were also traded. Israeli tourists also contributed one million overnight stays in Austria in 2023, a significant number considering Israel's small population.

Austria has taken a strong pro-Israel stance in recent years, and within the EU, it is considered one of the most pro-Israeli countries. This stance has been driven by a quest for historic redemption and economic opportunity. Austria's support is seen as critical to keeping the EU on Israel's side in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. However, Austria remains committed to a two-state solution and supports the Middle East Peace Process through economic and social development programs with the Palestinian government and other organisations.

Austria's stance on the Palestinian Liberation Organization

Austria has long been interested in the Middle East, which has been a focal point of Austrian foreign policy. The country has supported the Middle East Peace Process and the implementation of a negotiated, lasting, and effective two-state solution. Austria has also established early relations with the Palestinians and has maintained high-level political contacts in the region.

Austria was the first Western state to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1980. In 1973, Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky called for Europe to play a role in the Middle East and declared his support for the creation of a state for the Palestinians. Kreisky, who was himself a Jew, questioned Zionism as a solution to the problems faced by the Jewish people, claiming that Jews were not an ethnic group or race but a religious group. In 1978, the PLO opened an office in Vienna, and two years later, Austria officially established relations with the organization.

Austria does not fully recognize the Palestinian state declared in 1988. However, around the same time, it raised the position of the head of the Palestinian mission to the level of ambassador. Austria supported Palestine's application to join UNESCO in 2011 and its bid to obtain non-member observer status at the United Nations. In 1998, Austria opened a Representative Office in Ramallah.

Austria maintains an intensive development cooperation program with the Palestinian government (Palestinian Authority), UNRWA, and other development organizations in the fields of health, water management, and the environment, as well as in building sustainable and effective institutions. Austria has also granted the Palestinian representation in Vienna the diplomatic status of a Representation of Palestine.

Austria's response to Hamas attacks

Austria has had a history of supporting Israel, and the country is considered one of the most pro-Israeli members of the European Union. This is partly due to the fact that many Israelis are descendants of Austrian Jews, and the two countries have had diplomatic relations since 1956.

However, Austria has also been involved in the Palestine-Israeli conflict in other ways. In 2023, Austria stopped all aid to Palestine following a Hamas-led attack on Israel. Austria also voted against a resolution for a ceasefire in the 2023 Israel-Hamas War.

The Austrian government has expressed concern over the increasing threat of terrorism in Europe since the Hamas attack in October 2023. The Directorate of State Security and Intelligence (DSN) reported a fivefold increase in the number of detected attack plans since the attack. This has led to Austria strengthening its security measures and partnerships to combat the threat of terrorism.

Austria has also been active in trying to resolve the Middle East conflict and has called for a negotiated, lasting, and effective two-state solution. They have maintained high-level political contacts in the region and participated in the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy deliberations and decisions. In addition, Austria has an intensive development cooperation program with the Palestinian government and other organizations in areas such as health, water management, and the environment.

In summary, Austria's response to Hamas attacks has been focused on strengthening security measures, maintaining its support for Israel, and continuing its efforts towards a two-state solution through political engagement and development cooperation with the Palestinian government and organizations.

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