Ruqayyah Snyder
Austria has been criticized for its support of Israel, with Austrian activist Wilhelm Langthaler accusing the government of turning a blind eye to civilian deaths in Gaza and banning protests in support of Palestine. However, Austria has defended its position, citing its fight against terrorism and support for Israel's right to defend itself against attacks by Hamas. Austria has also provided financial aid and called for the establishment of humanitarian corridors in the Gaza Strip. The country's relationship with Israel is complex, given that Austria was the birthplace of Adolf Hitler and other perpetrators of the Holocaust, but it also recognized the State of Israel shortly after its founding in 1949 and has since developed close diplomatic and economic ties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic relations | Recognized Israel in 1949, established diplomatic relations in 1956 |
| Strategic relationship | Austria and Israel have a strategic, extremely close relationship that cannot be reversed |
| Support in conflicts | Austria supported Israel in the Suez Crisis, during the 2023 UN resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza, and in the fight against terrorism |
| Economic ties | Austrian exports to Israel rose 50% between 2018 and 2022 |
| Tourism | There has been a boom in Israeli tourism to Austria |
| Fight against antisemitism | Austria and Israel are working together to combat antisemitism |
| Holocaust remembrance | Both countries are working to preserve the memory of the Holocaust |
| Redemption and opportunity | Austria is driven by a quest for historic redemption and economic opportunity |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's redemption and economic opportunity
Austria's relationship with Israel is driven by a quest for historical redemption and economic opportunity.
Austria's support for Israel is particularly notable given its history as the homeland of Adolf Hitler, the founder of Zionism, Theodor Herzl, and other perpetrators of the Holocaust. The country's recognition of Israel in 1949, shortly after its declaration of independence, was an early step towards redemption. However, relations have been strained at times, such as during the Waldheim affair in the 1980s and the first Freedom Party (FPÖ) government participation in 2000, when Israel recalled its ambassador.
More recently, Austria has taken steps to strengthen its relationship with Israel. In 2021, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz visited Israel, and the Israeli flag was hoisted above his office and the foreign ministry after Hamas fired rockets into Israel. Kurz was praised by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "a true friend of Israel and the Jewish people." In 2023, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg affirmed the countries' "extremely close relationship" and Austria's solidarity with Israel in its fight against terrorism.
Economic ties between the two countries have also been growing. Austrian exports to Israel rose by 50% between 2018 and 2022, and Israel has become a popular tourist destination for Austrians.
Austria's support for Israel has been interpreted as a strategic move to prove its alignment with Western imperialism and the United States, particularly in contrast to its hesitant support for Ukraine due to its economic ties with Russia. Additionally, the ruling class in Austria may be using its pro-Israel stance to marginalize the left and ensure social peace ahead of the 2024 elections.
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Austria's stance on Israel's right to self-defence
Austria has been considered one of the most pro-Israeli countries within the EU. In 2023, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg announced that the country had entered into a strategic and extremely close relationship with Israel. This statement was made in the context of a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, which Israel opposed. Austria stood with Israel, supporting its right to defend itself against attacks by the terrorist organisation Hamas, in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Another factor is the political necessity of improving relations with Israel. In 2017, when the Austrian government formed a coalition with the Freedom Party, which has a history of antisemitism, then-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz sought to reassure Israel and distance himself from the Freedom Party's views. Kurz developed a close relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called him "a true friend of Israel and the Jewish people".
Furthermore, economic opportunities and a desire for historic redemption have driven Austria and Israel closer together. Austrian exports to Israel increased by 50% between 2018 and 2022, and Austrian support for Israel also serves as a way to align with US imperialism. Additionally, the ruling class in Austria uses the Israel-Palestine conflict to exert pressure on opposing political parties and to maintain social peace and political stability, especially in election years.
However, it is important to note that Austria's relationship with Israel has not always been smooth. In the 1970s, Chancellor Bruno Kreisky, despite being a Jewish survivor of the war, sought a role as a mediator in the Middle East conflict and called for a Palestinian state, causing disputes with Israel. Relations were further strained by the Waldheim affair in the 1980s and the participation of the Freedom Party in the government in 2000, which led to Israel recalling its ambassador.
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Austria's fight against antisemitism
Austria has taken several steps to fight antisemitism and support Israel. The country has recognised its historical responsibility towards Jewish life and has actively worked to combat rising antisemitism within its borders.
In December 2018, Austria adopted a Council declaration on combating antisemitism and protecting Jewish communities in Europe. This declaration included a reference to the non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism issued by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). The country has also been working closely with other EU Member States and the European Commission to initiate and lead the EU-wide fight against antisemitism.
Austria was the first EU Member State to present a strategy against antisemitism, which was developed with the involvement of federal ministries, the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG), and various civil society institutions. The strategy covers various areas, including education, research, security, justice, integration, and civil society, and consists of 38 measures to prevent and combat all forms of antisemitism. As of January 2023, 28 out of 38 measures have been successfully implemented, with 10 currently being implemented or prepared.
In February 2021, the Austrian Parliament unanimously passed the Austrian-Jewish Cultural Heritage Act (ÖJKG), which includes an annual subsidy of 7 million euros to the Israelite Religious Society in Austria (IRG) to benefit and protect the Jewish community and its institutions, as well as preserve their cultural heritage and communal life.
Austria has also taken a stand against antisemitism in the digital sphere. The Online Antisemitism and Disinformation Task Force, established in December 2023, developed a package of measures to address antisemitism and antisemitic disinformation online, with the involvement of experts from academia, science, federal ministries, the IKG Vienna, and civil society organisations.
Austria has expressed solidarity with Israel in its fight against terrorism and supports Israel's right to defend itself against attacks by the terrorist organisation Hamas, in accordance with international humanitarian law. Austria has also taken a pro-Israel stance in the UN General Assembly, even when it meant going against certain resolutions, demonstrating its commitment to standing with Israel.
Despite lingering antisemitism in Austria, the country has made significant efforts to combat it and support the Jewish community, both domestically and internationally.
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Austria's support for Israel's stance on Hamas
Austria and Israel have had a historically tumultuous relationship, with the former seeking to redeem itself for its role in the Holocaust. Austria has, in recent years, adopted one of the most pro-Israeli stances in the European Union.
In 2021, after Hamas fired rockets into Israel, then-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz had the Israeli flag hoisted above his office and the foreign ministry. Kurz was eager to reassure Israel that Austria was not reverting to its antisemitic past, especially after forming a government with the Freedom Party, which has a history of trafficking in antisemitic tropes. Kurz's efforts paid off, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling him a "true friend of Israel's and the Jewish people."
In 2023, Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg announced that the country had entered into a "strategic, extremely close relationship with Israel that can no longer be undone." This was evident when Austria stood with Israel at the United Nations during a vote on a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, even as other allies of Israel, such as Germany and Canada, chose to abstain.
Austria has also been vocal in its support for Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas, which it considers a terrorist organization. After a Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, Austria suspended its aid to Palestinians, totalling around 19 million euros, and voted against a UN General Assembly resolution on the situation in the Middle East because it did not condemn Hamas or acknowledge Israel's right to self-defence.
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Austria's role in the emigration of Jews to Israel
Austria has played a significant role in the emigration of Jews to Israel, both historically and in recent times. The history of Jews in Austria dates back to Roman times, and they have faced varying political statuses over the centuries.
World War II and Post-War Emigration
During World War II, German policies towards the Jewish population shifted from expropriation and encouraging emigration to forced deportation. The annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938 (the "Anschluss") marked a turning point for Austrian Jews. Synagogues were destroyed, Jews were murdered or beaten, and the rest were effectively forced to emigrate, although the process was made extremely difficult. Between 1938 and 1940, an estimated 117,000 Jews fled Austria. By December 1939, the Jewish population in Vienna, which was a centre of Jewish culture, Zionism, and education, had decreased to 57,000 due to emigration.
In the postwar period, Austria became a hub for Jewish emigration to Israel, particularly from the Soviet Union. Between 1948 and 1952, the State of Israel and Western Allied Powers regarded Austria as the first victim of the Nazis, which laid the foundation for subsequent consular relations and recognition. In 1956, Austria and Israel established diplomatic relations, and in 1958, they signed a trade agreement.
Recent Times
In 2023, Austria once again became a key country in the emigration of Jews to Israel. Due to the rise of political anti-Semitism in Austria and the formation of a government with the Freedom Party, which has a history of antisemitic tropes, Austria served as a waystation for Jews emigrating from the Soviet Union to Israel. This recent wave of emigration reflects a broader trend of rising antisemitism in Europe and a desire for Jews to seek safer and more welcoming environments.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria has been described as one of the most pro-Israeli countries in the EU. The two countries have enjoyed diplomatic relations since 1949, and in 2023, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg announced that the countries had entered into a "strategic, extremely close relationship". Austria stands in solidarity with Israel in its fight against terrorism and supports Israel's right to defend itself against attacks by Hamas.
The relationship between Austria and Israel is coloured by the fact that Adolf Hitler and other perpetrators of the Holocaust came from Austria. The founder of Zionism, Theodor Herzl, also lived in Austria-Hungary, and many Israelis are descendants of Austrian Jews. In 1948, Herzl's book, "The Jewish State", contributed to the emergence of political Zionism. After the founding of Israel, Austria recognised the new state in 1949 and granted Israel a loan of 50 million shillings.
Austria has historically projected neutrality on the world stage. However, its stance on Israel has influenced its foreign policy, particularly in the UN General Assembly, where Austria has taken a pro-Israel position. In 2023, Austria voted against a UN resolution on the situation in the Middle East, as it did not include a condemnation of atrocities against civilians nor acknowledge Israel's right to self-defence.
The improvement in bilateral relations between Austria and Israel has fostered closer economic ties and a boom in Israeli tourism to Austria. Austrian exports to Israel rose by 50% between 2018 and 2022.
Critics have argued that Austria's ruling class is using the Israel-Palestine conflict for a generalised attack on the left and the workers' movement. They also argue that the Austrian government's pro-Israel stance is even more extreme than that of other European countries and is driven by a desire to prove itself as an ally of US imperialism.
