Austria: Safe Haven For Jewish Tourists?

Austria has a long history of Jewish presence, dating back to the 3rd century CE. Over the centuries, the Jewish community in the country has experienced periods of prosperity and equality, as well as times of persecution, including during the Holocaust. Today, Austria has a Jewish population of around 10,300, with a total of 33,000 when including those with at least one Jewish grandparent. While anti-Semitism and neo-Nazism have not been completely eradicated from the country, Austria is generally considered safe for Jewish tourists. Here is what you should know before visiting.

Austria's history of antisemitism

Austria has a long history of antisemitism, which continues to the present day.

The 19th Century

Jewish communities have existed in the geographical area now covered by Austria since the 12th century. In 1848, Jews were granted civil rights and the right to establish an autonomous religious community, but full citizenship rights were only given in 1867. In the late 19th century, anti-Semitism rapidly increased in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This sudden rise in political anti-Semitism was a result of an electoral reform that gave more men the vote and allowed more artisans to participate in elections. One of the politicians to benefit from this was Georg von Schoenerer, who advocated for racial anti-Semitism, calling for a break-up of the monarchy and the annexation of German-speaking areas to the German Reich.

A more popular politician was the Christian-Social Karl Lueger, who used anti-Semitism to appeal to artisans and students, uniting them against a common Jewish enemy. Lueger's party, the Christian Social Party, was strongly influenced by Catholic anti-Semitism, which blamed the secularisation and modernisation of society on Jewish influence. Lueger became Mayor of Vienna in 1897, marking the beginning of a "new if all-too-brief Golden Age" for middle and upper-class Viennese Jews.

World War II

In 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany. Thousands of Austrian Jews were sent to concentration camps, with only 2,000 out of 65,000 Viennese Jews deported to camps surviving. Around 800 Jews survived the war in hiding. During this time, Austrian Jews were guaranteed equality of legal rights, and the Austrian chancellors never supported Jew-baiting. However, popular pressure from Austrian anti-Semites and economic pressure from Nazi Germany led the Austrian government to tolerate political and economic anti-Semitism.

Post-World War II

Antisemitism did not end after the war. In the post-war period, it was characterised by Austrian sociologist Bernd Marin as an "antisemitism without Jews", as Jews constituted only 0.1% of the Austrian population. It was stronger in areas where Jews did not live, and among people who had never met a Jewish person. Overt expressions of antisemitism were taboo, but coded expressions were common. Anti-Jewish prejudices that had been hidden began to surface in public settings.

Contemporary Austria

Today, antisemitism in Austria tends to focus on "diffused and traditional stereotypes" rather than acts of physical aggression. It is a main ideological component of extreme right-wing groups. Since 2000, extreme rightist and neo-Nazi groups have intensified their activities. Antisemitic incidents have included swastika graffiti, the desecration of Jewish graves, and vandalism of memorials for the Holocaust.

In 2015, a study by the Anti-Defamation League found that 28% of the adult population in Austria harboured antisemitic opinions. A 2018 study by the Fundamental Rights Agency found that antisemitism is still widespread and firmly rooted in Austrian society, and that Austrian Jews often feel harassed and threatened.

The Holocaust's impact on Austria's Jewish population

The Holocaust had a devastating impact on Austria's Jewish population. In 1938, before the German annexation, Austria had a Jewish population of around 192,000, with most living in the capital, Vienna. By 1945, at the end of World War II, only about 800 Jews remained in the country, and the Jewish community had been drastically reduced.

Following the German annexation of Austria in 1938, known as the Anschluss, the persecution of Jews began immediately and was extremely violent. German racial laws were imposed, and Jews were disenfranchised and banned from public transport. They were subjected to public humiliation, forced to perform menial tasks, and their property was seized. The first Austrian concentration camp was established at Mauthausen in August 1938, and the deportation of Jews to Poland began in October 1939.

The Kristallnacht pogroms in November 1938 were particularly brutal in Austria. Most synagogues in Vienna were destroyed, and Jewish businesses were vandalized and looted. Thousands of Jews were arrested and deported to concentration camps, and emigration increased dramatically. Between 1938 and 1940, around 117,000 Jews fled Austria.

The deportation of Jews to death camps began in February 1941, and by November 1942, only about 7,000 Jews remained in Austria. The deportations continued until March 1945. As a result of the Holocaust, between 60,000 and 65,000 Austrian Jews were murdered, and fewer than 800 survived until the liberation of Vienna by Soviet troops in April 1945.

The impact of the Holocaust on Austria's Jewish population was long-lasting. By 1950, the Jewish community in Austria numbered only 13,396 people, and it has continued to be much smaller than it was before the war. In 2001, the Jewish population in Austria was 10,300, and including those with at least one Jewish grandparent, the total was 33,000.

Current antisemitism in Austria

Austria has a long history of Jewish communities, dating back to the 12th century. While the country granted civil rights to Jews in 1848 and full citizenship rights in 1867, it also has a history of antisemitism, including the annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938, which resulted in the deportation of thousands of Austrian Jews to concentration camps. Antisemitism persisted in Austria even after World War II, particularly in political parties and the media. Today, the Jewish community in Austria is small, with around 8,000 members, and they continue to face various forms of antisemitism.

One form of antisemitism in Austria is latent antisemitism, which is more prevalent in rural areas. In 2010, several hotels and apartments in the town of Serfaus were found to have barred guests based on racial bias, particularly those who were identified as possible Orthodox Jews. This incident brought attention to the underlying hostility towards Jews in certain holiday resorts.

In recent years, there has been a wave of antisemitic attacks and incidents across Austria. Since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the country has witnessed a rise in antisemitic incidents, including graffiti on Jewish businesses and vandalism of memorials and monuments. Right-wing extremism and neo-Nazi groups have also contributed to the increase in antisemitic activities. These groups have become more active since the success of the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) in the 1999 elections.

According to the CFCA, there were over 15 antisemitic incidents in Austria during 2012–2013, including swastika graffiti, desecration of Jewish graves, and vandalism of Stepping Stones commemorating Holocaust victims. In 2014, two stepping stones were vandalized again, and a violent attack was carried out by pro-Palestinian fans on the Israeli football team during a training match. Additionally, a biker with neo-Nazi insignia was seen waving a knife and shouting antisemitic slogans outside a synagogue in Vienna.

In 2015, there were reports of antisemitic graffiti at the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp complex and on other Holocaust memorials in Austria. The same year, the Fundamental Rights Agency reported an increase in antisemitic offences in the country, with 58 incidents recorded in 2014, the highest number in the period from 2004 to 2014.

A survey conducted by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in 2013–2014 revealed that 28% of the adult population in Austria hold antisemitic opinions. More than 50% of the population agreed with the statement, "Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust." Additionally, over 40% agreed with statements such as, "Jews are more loyal to Israel than to this country" and "Jews have too much power in international financial markets."

While Austria has taken steps to address antisemitism, such as granting citizenship to descendants of Holocaust survivors, the persistence of antisemitic incidents and attitudes in the country continues to be a concern for the Jewish community and the Austrian government.

The safety of Jewish tourists in Vienna

Austria has a long history of Jewish settlement, with the first known evidence of a Jewish presence in the country dating back to the 3rd century CE. Today, the country is home to a Jewish population of around 10,300, which increases to 33,000 when including Austrians with at least one Jewish grandparent. Vienna, in particular, has been a cultural Jewish center and is home to synagogues, a Jewish retirement home, a Jewish museum, and other community institutions.

In terms of safety for Jewish tourists, Vienna and Austria as a whole are generally considered to be safe destinations. The country has a number of laws in place that protect religious freedom and prohibit religious discrimination. Additionally, Holocaust denial and incitement to hostile acts against religious groups are criminal offenses. However, it is important to note that there have been reports of antisemitic incidents and sentiments in the country, including in Vienna.

For example, in May 2021, a man threw rocks at a Jewish family wearing traditional religious clothing in Vienna. This incident was included in the 562 antisemitic incidents reported by the Jewish Community (IKG) in the first half of 2021, more than double the number reported in the same period in 2020. These incidents primarily consisted of hate speech and insults on the internet, but there were also cases of physical assault and property damage.

It is worth mentioning that the Austrian government has taken steps to combat antisemitism and promote education about Judaism. In January 2021, the government presented a national strategy to combat antisemitism, which included enhancing education about Judaism, improving security for Jewish sites, and more vigorous prosecution of antisemitic crimes. Additionally, the country is a member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and has sites such as the Mauthausen Memorial Agency and the Shoah Wall of Names Memorial, which serve to promote Holocaust remembrance.

When visiting Vienna, it is always important to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings, especially in tourist areas where petty crimes such as pickpocketing and bag snatching can occur. Additionally, it is illegal to cover your face in public places in Austria, and penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe.

Overall, Vienna is a safe destination for Jewish tourists, but it is important to stay informed about local news and developments, be cautious when participating in religious practices or wearing religious clothing in public, and follow the advice of local authorities.

Austria's response to antisemitism

Recognition and Compensation:

Austria has officially acknowledged its role in the crimes of the Third Reich during World War II. In 1998, the Austrian government introduced the Art Restitution Act to address the issue of art stolen by the Nazis. Additionally, in 2005, the government compensated over 19,300 Austrian Holocaust survivors and provided funds to the Austria Jewish Fund.

Citizenship and Immigration:

Austria has amended its citizenship laws to allow direct descendants of victims of National Socialism to regain Austrian citizenship. This includes Jews and non-Jews who can prove they are descendants of victims of Nazi persecution. The country also offers citizenship to those who can prove Austrian citizenship at the time of immigration, such as through old passports or certificates.

Memorials and Reconstruction:

Austria has taken steps to memorialize the Holocaust and reconstruct Jewish sites. In 2000, the Judenplatz Holocaust Memorial was built in Vienna. Additionally, the government reconstructed the Jewish synagogue in Innsbruck and the Jewish library in Vienna, which had been destroyed during Kristallnacht.

Education and Awareness:

Austria has recognized the importance of education and awareness in combating antisemitism. The country has established the Federal Agency for State Protection and Counter Terrorism (BVT) as a source of official data on antisemitic incidents. Additionally, NGOs like the Forum against Antisemitism (FGA) and Civil Courage and Anti-Racism Work (ZARA) also contribute to data collection and awareness efforts.

Legal Responses:

Austria has introduced laws to address antisemitism and protect its Jewish community. The country has criminalized severe offences, large-scale financial crimes, terrorist acts, and crimes that endanger Austrian democracy. However, there are still reports of latent antisemitism in rural areas, with incidents of racial profiling and discrimination in holiday resorts and hotels.

Frequently asked questions