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Austria and Israel have had a complex relationship since the latter's independence in 1948. The two countries established full diplomatic relations in 1949, and Israel has an embassy in Vienna, with Austria reciprocating in Tel Aviv. Austria also has a consulate in Jerusalem, which is supervised by its embassy in Tel Aviv. In 2018, Austrian Chancellor Kurz met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem, and the former described himself as a true friend of Israel and the Jewish people. Despite this, Austria has not moved its embassy to Jerusalem, although the leader of Austria's far-right party has expressed sympathy for Israel's desire to have all embassies located in its self-declared capital.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current location of the Austrian embassy in Israel | Tel Aviv |
| Number of Austrian consulates in Israel | 3 |
| Cities in Israel with Austrian consulates | Jerusalem, Eilat, Haifa |
| Location of the Austrian consulate in Jerusalem | Technology Park, Manahat Building No. 1 |
| Austria's recognition of Israel | March 1949 |
| Israel's recognition of Austria | 1950 |
| Current state of Austria-Israel relations | Close, with a strategic partnership concluded in 2022 |
| Recent developments | Austria stopped all aid to Palestine after the Hamas-led attack on Israel in 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
Austria recognised Israel in March 1949
Austria recognised Israel on 5 March 1949, shortly after the Jewish state was founded. This recognition laid the foundation for the subsequent establishment of consular relations between the two countries and the de jure recognition of Israel by Austria in the spring of 1950.
Austria was one of the first countries to recognise Israel as a state after the Israeli declaration of independence on 14 May 1948. In the same year, Austria granted Israel a loan of 50 million shillings and transferred the mortal remains of Theodor Herzl to Israel. Herzl, the founder of Zionism, had lived in Austria-Hungary, and many Israelis are descendants of Austrian Jews.
The State of Israel largely adopted the position of the Allied Western Powers, who regarded Austria as the first victim of the Nazis. This view was also held by Israel until 1986, when Austria renegotiated its collective memory following the Waldheim Affair. This renegotiation of Austria's role in World War Two caused a strain on the two countries' relationship.
In the years following the recognition of Israel by Austria, the two countries established friendly relations, with Austria taking a pro-Israel stance in the UN General Assembly during the Suez Crisis. In 1977, however, relations deteriorated when Austrian Federal Chancellor Bruno Kreisky and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin engaged in a public dispute in which Kreisky described Israel as a "police state".
In more recent years, relations between the two countries have been close. In 2018, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz visited Jerusalem and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Kurz vowed to make the fight against antisemitism the focus of Austria's EU Council Presidency. In 2023, Austria's exports to Israel totalled 540 million euros, and Israeli tourists were responsible for one million overnight stays in Austria.
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The Austrian consulate in Jerusalem is one of 357 diplomatic representations of Austria globally
Austria has had a diplomatic presence in Israel since it recognized the country in 1949. The Austrian consulate in Jerusalem is one of 357 diplomatic representations of Austria globally. Austria has an embassy in Tel Aviv and three honorary consulates in Eilat, Haifa, and Jerusalem. The Austrian consulate in Jerusalem is, therefore, one of several diplomatic representations of Austria in Israel.
Austria and Israel have had a complex relationship since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. Despite Austria recognizing Israel in 1949, granting a loan of 50 million shillings, and transferring the remains of Theodor Herzl to Israel, there have been several periods of tension in their relationship. One notable low point was in 1980 when Austria became the first Western state to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). This led to a downgrade in diplomatic relations until 1992.
In 2000, Israel recalled its ambassador to Austria when the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) joined the coalition government. Relations were restored in 2003 after talks with the Austrian foreign minister, Benita Ferrero-Waldner. However, when the FPÖ returned to government in 2017 under Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, the issue of Austria's embassy location in Israel resurfaced. Kurz visited Jerusalem and met with Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing his support for Israel and pledging to fight anti-Semitism during Austria's EU Council Presidency.
Despite pressure from Israel and statements of sympathy from Austrian politicians, Austria has not moved its embassy to Jerusalem. Austria's current diplomatic representations in Israel, including the consulate in Jerusalem, remain in place. The Austrian consulate in Jerusalem operates within the context of Austria's broader diplomatic network and its specific role as one of 357 diplomatic representations globally.
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Austria has an embassy in Tel Aviv
Austria and Israel have a complex relationship, with several ups and downs since Israel's declaration of independence in 1948. Austria recognized Israel on March 5, 1949, and granted the country a loan of 50 million shillings. However, relations deteriorated in the late 1970s, reaching a low point in 1980 when Austria became the first Western state to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
In 2000, when the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) joined the coalition government, Israel recalled its ambassador. Relations were restored in 2003 after talks with the Austrian foreign minister, Benita Ferrero-Waldner. In 2017, the FPÖ returned to government under Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who was described by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a "true friend of Israel and the Jewish people."
Despite this improvement, the leader of Austria's far-right party, Hans-Christian Strache, expressed his support for moving the Austrian embassy from Ramat Gan to Jerusalem, aligning with Israel's desire to have all embassies in Jerusalem. However, Strache also acknowledged that Austria must consider the European consensus and not act unilaterally.
Economic relations between Austria and Israel have expanded significantly alongside their political relations. Between 2018 and 2022, Austria's exports to Israel increased by 50%, and Israeli tourists contributed to one million overnight stays in Austria in 2023.
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Austria's exports to Israel increased by 50% between 2018 and 2022
Austria and Israel have had a complex relationship since the latter's independence in 1948. Austria recognised Israel in March 1949 and granted the new state a loan of 50 million shillings. However, relations have not always been smooth, with various disputes and political controversies causing friction over the years.
Despite this, economic relations between the two countries have strengthened as political ties 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 traded asset, but machinery, vehicles and special instruments were also exchanged.
In addition to trade, tourism is another significant aspect of the economic relationship between the two countries. Israeli tourists contributed to one million overnight stays in Austria in 2023, a notable achievement considering Israel's relatively small population.
While Austria does not have an embassy in Jerusalem, it does maintain an embassy in Tel Aviv and three honorary consulates in Eilat, Haifa, and Jerusalem. The leader of Austria's far-right party, Hans-Christian Strache, has expressed sympathy for Israel's desire to have all embassies in Jerusalem. However, he acknowledged that Austria must abide by the European consensus and cannot act unilaterally in this matter.
In conclusion, despite historical complexities, Austria and Israel have developed a robust economic partnership, as evidenced by the significant increase in Austria's exports to Israel between 2018 and 2022.
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In 2000, Israel recalled its ambassador to Austria
Israel and Austria have had a complex relationship since the founding of Israel in 1948. Austria recognised Israel in 1949 and granted it a loan of 50 million shillings. In the same year, Austria transferred the mortal remains of Theodor Herzl, the founder of Zionism, to Israel.
However, the relationship between the two countries has been fraught at times, especially due to the role of Austrians in the Holocaust and the presence of Jews in Austria. In 1986, Israel recalled its ambassador from Austria when former Nazi officer Kurt Waldheim was elected president. In 2000, Israel again recalled its ambassador when the extreme-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) joined the coalition government. This period also saw public disputes between Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir and Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky, who was Jewish but had no affinity for Zionism.
In 2003, after talks with Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, relations were restored. Since then, the two countries have developed a close strategic partnership. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz visited Jerusalem in 2018 and was described by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a "true friend of Israel and the Jewish people".
In recent years, economic relations between the two countries have expanded significantly. Between 2018 and 2022, Austria's exports to Israel increased by 50%, and Israeli tourists contributed one million overnight stays in Austria in 2023. Despite this, Austria has not moved its embassy to Jerusalem, although the leader of Austria's far-right party, Hans-Christian Strache, has expressed sympathy for Israel's desire to have all embassies in Jerusalem.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Austria has an embassy in Tel Aviv and a consulate in Jerusalem.
Technology Park, Manahat Building No. 1, Jerusalem 96958, Israel.
The Austrian consulate in Jerusalem offers consular assistance and a range of services to Austrian, Israeli, and international citizens.
Yes, the leader of Austria's far-right party, Hans-Christian Strache, expressed sympathy for Israel's desire to have all embassies in Jerusalem. However, he also acknowledged that Austria is bound to the European consensus and cannot act alone in such matters.
