Austria

Austrian Eurovision winner backtracks on call to exclude Israel

Eurovision 2025 winner JJ walks back his controversial comments calling for Israel's suspension from the competition, claims his words were misunderstood.

Eurovision winner:

'Disappointing to see Israel still participating'

Austrian Eurovision 2025 champion JJ voices strong opinions regarding Israel's participation in the contest and the fairness of the voting system, expresses desire for Eurovision 2026 to be held "without Israel."

Austrian Parliament launches Israel Allies Caucus

Austrian Parliament launches Israel Allies Caucus, joining global network of over 1,500 legislators supporting Israel through diplomatic engagement.

Austria:

Local authorities confirm stabbing was ISIS attack

Authorities in Austria officially announced that the stabbing attack in the city of Villach, resulting in the death of a 14-year-old, was an act of terrorism connected to ISIS.

Suspect in custody

Knife attack in Austria leaves teen dead, four hurt

14-year-old boy dead and four others injured after man randomly attacks people with a knife in city center of Carinthia province. Authorities arrest 23-year-old Syrian asylum seeker in connection with the incident.

Will Herbert Kickl become Austria's next chancellor?

Far-right party founded by former Nazis is tapped to lead Austria’s government.

Taylor Swift concert plot originally targeted Israeli embassy

The man arrested for planning to attack a Taylor Swift concert originally had another target in mind - the Israeli embassy in Vienna

Drama in Austria:

Chancellor resigns after political stalemate

Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced his resignation after failing to form a unity government despite the far-right party's electoral gains.

European countries freeze asylum requests from Syrian citizens

After fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, Germany and Austria announce freeze of applications from Syrians for asylum.

Austria:

Far-right party wins state election in Styria for the first time

Austria's Freedom Party (FPO) achieves historic victory, a significant development following its strong performance in September’s general election.

Far-right party founded by former Nazis wins Austrian election

Herbert Kickl and Austria's Freedom Party win national elections, taking nearly one-third of the vote. Head of Austrian Jewish Students Union: 'Herbert Kickl would have deported us.'

Likud MK at Austrian parliament:

'Stop funding UNRWA and the PA'

MK Ariel Kallner speaks at session in Austrian parliament which dealt with the fight against antisemitism and the latest developments in the Middle East and their impact on society.

Attack on Munich consulate:

Devices seized at shooter's home

Authorities seize electronic devices from home of Austrian involved in a shooting near Israel's consulate in Munich, Germany. No weapons or ISIS group propaganda found.

After shows cancelled over terror

Taylor Swift breaks her silence

American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift shares statement on social media on the thwarted terror attack that led to the cancellation of three of her shows in Vienna: I was grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives.

Austria:

ISIS terror attack at Taylor Swift concert foiled

According to authorities, the two men, who were radicalized online, planned an attack at an upcoming Taylor Swift concert in Vienna.

Austria to resume funding to UNRWA

Austria announces it will restore funding to UN agency for “Palestinian refugees”, though it notes "a lot of trust had been squandered".

Due to regional tensions

Austrian Airlines suspends flight to Tehran

Austrian Airlines suspends all flights from Vienna to Tehran until April 18 amid concerns over an Iranian attack on Israel.

President of Austrian Parliament to Visit Yad Vashem

Wolfgang Sobotka, top Austrian official, to visit Yad Vashem, view Holocaust archives, weeks after reports of skyrocketing antisemitism in his home country.

Goal in Austrian game dedicated to fallen soldier

Oscar Gloukh, an Israeli professional soccer player for Austrian club RB Salzburg scored the winning goal for his team and dedicated it to his friend, Sergeant Afik Tery, who was killed in Gaza two weeks ago.

Amid Gaza war:

Sharp rise in antisemitism in Austria

President of local Jewish community says as many as eight to nine antisemitic incidents are reported per day since October 7.

Israel’s Foreign Minister meets Austrian counterpart

Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, on his meeting with Austria's Foreign Minister ‏Alexander Schallenberg, "he's a true ally of Israel."

Report:

European countries warned of planned terror attacks

Austria, Germany and Spain received warnings that an Islamist terrorist cell plans to carry out attacks on New Year's Eve or Christmas.

Austria:

16-year-old arrested over plot to attack Vienna synagogue

The teenager announced in online chats that he intended to procure a weapon to attack an unspecified synagogue in the Austrian capital.

For first time in decades:

Austria increases Holocaust survivor payments

Austria promises to pay an estimated 2,500 Holocaust survivors an additional direct compensation payment in 2023.

Austrian MP visiting Israel:

'We support Israel. Refugees completely changed our society'

Dr. Reinhold Lopatka, VP of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, explains the world's mistakes in viewing the war against Hamas.

Simon Wiesenthal Center:

Germany, Austria, should grant citizenship to Israeli hostages

Simon Wiesenthal Center urges Germany, Austria, to take lead, grant joint citizenship to Israelis held captive by Hamas.

Herzog responds to UN Chief:

'There is no reason or justification for terror'

Israeli President meets Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, who is visiting to show solidarity with Israel following the Hamas massacre.

Austria:

Work begins to convert Hitler’s childhood home to police station

Plans call for police station, district police headquarters and security academy branch.

President Herzog meets Austrian President Van Der Bellen

Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with Austrian President Van Der Bellen at Hofburg Palace as part of a state visit.

Pres. Herzog to pay two-day state visit to Slovakia and Austria

Israeli Pres. to meet diplomats, Jewish community leaders, during two-day visit to Austria and Slovakia.

Austria’s plans for Hitler’s birth house stir controversy

In Branau, Austria, local citizens and leaders push back against plan to turn house where Hitler was born into a police station.

Austria announces:

Redesign of Hitler's birth house will go ahead as planned

Construction to convert Nazi leader's birth home to a police station is scheduled to start on October 2, says Austria's interior ministry.

Austria:

Former Chancellor charged over alleged corruption

Austria’s former Chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, charged with making false statements to a parliamentary inquiry.

Austria foils ISIS attack in Vienna

The attack targeted the pride parade in the Austrian capital and had been planned by three men who had allegedly sympathized with ISIS.

Austrian writers demand:

'Drop provincial anthems composed by Nazis'

Several regions have been found to have anthems composed by Nazis, but so far none have been changed.

Vienna finds compromise on statue of mayor who inspired Hitler

Statue of antisemitic mayor who inspired Hitler to remain in place - but tilted, to cast it in a new light, say Vienna officials.

EU Parliament president visits Vienna Jewish community

Roberta Metsola meets with head of Vienna Jewish community to discuss dangerous rise of far-right extremist parties in Europe.

Austria:

Hitler's birth home to be converted to police training center

Hitler's birth home in Braunau am Inn has attracted neo-Nazis and other extremists for years.

Austria:

Authorities charge 2 for Hitler speech blared on public train

Austrian police charge 2 men after Hitler speech plays on public train’s loudspeakers.

Austria:

Hitler speeches played on train loudspeakers, probe launched

Two people believed to have manipulated trains' loudspeaker announcements to play Hitler salutes and speeches.

Austria:

Decrease in antisemitic incidents, physical attacks remain high

Study finds trend of fewer antisemitic incidents but warns that assaults against Jews are still at record level.

Austrian parliament pres. pledges creation of Holocaust museum

Wolfgang Sobotka announces support for creation of Vienna museum on sight of former Gestapo headquarters.

1/3 of Austrians believes Jews have too much influence

Study on antisemitism finds large number of Austrians view Jews as exploiting the Holocaust and controlling international commerce.

Vienna UK embassy honors officials who saved Jews during WWII

British embassy in Austrian capital saved 1,800 Jews by issuing passports and travel documents against orders of Foreign Office.

Iran sentences Austrian man to prison for spying

Austria summons Iranian ambassador after its citizen is sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in jail for alleged espionage.

Austrian Jewish journalist Karl Pfeifer dead at 94

Pfeifer survived the Holocaust, fought in Israel’s War of Independence and went on to campaign against post-war antisemitism in Europe.

University of Bremen library returns rare books looted by Nazis

Four antique books were sold under duress by Jewish judge before he was deported to Theresienstadt ghetto.

Austrian Min. to INN:

'I will fight Antisemitism as long as I can fight'

Special episode of 'Real Talk'. We speak with Karoline Edtstadler, Austrian Federal Minister for the EU and Constitution.

Austria to strengthen laws banning Nazi symbols

Government plans to expand laws banning Holocaust trivialization in response to protesters comparing themselves to Holocaust victims.

Climate activists throw black liquid on priceless Klimt painting

Members of climate activist group deface priceless 1915 painting at Vienna museum.

Austria introduces measures to combat antisemitism in schools

Package of measures will address discrimination against Jewish students through antisemitism education and teacher training.

Austria hosts European Conference on Antisemitism

Summit brings together organizations fighting antisemitism to network, further cooperation and increase reporting of incidents.

Four Holocaust survivors awarded first Simon Wiesenthal Prize

2021 prize awarded to Lily Ebert, Zwi Nigal, Karl Pfeifer and Liliana Segre for dedication to Holocaust education and fighting antisemitism.

Historic Austrian synagogue reopens as cultural center

Renovated 19th century synagogue of Kobersdorf to be used as a Jewish cultural center for lectures, conferences and concerts.

Austria closes restitution fund for victims of the Nazis

Austria has closed a $215 million fund that offered compensation to victims of the Nazis.

Remembering the Anschluss - March 12, 1938

The WJC appealed to the League of Nations to come to the aid of Austrian Jewry, “exposed completely to Nazi barbarism.” No response.Op-ed.

Austrian Chancellor apologizes for Holocaust crimes

Yair Lapid marks International Holocaust Day at Mauthausen concentration camp, where his grandfather was murdered.

Lapid to visit Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria

Israeli Foreign Minister to visit Austrian concentration camp ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Austria: Artist under fire for posting Star of David of syringes

Two Austrian cities remove statues created by prominent artist who posted Star of David made of syringes.

WWE accidentally rebrands Austrian wrestler with Nazi name

Attempt to rebrand Austrian wrestler for American market falls flat when WWE learns that the name "Gunther Stark" belonged to a Nazi.