According to the Interior Ministry, 70 crimes have been detected in Austria during so-called “pro-Palestine” demonstrations since violence escalated in the Middle East on October 7. 50 was about the slogan “From the river to the sea – Palestine will be free”, which questions Israel’s right to exist. There are also 400 administrative reports and ten arrests. The Interior Ministry announced on Thursday that 13 meetings had been banned.
“Anti-Semitism – whether of left, right or Islamist origin – is rampant in Austria,” Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) insisted after another “security dialogue” between his department and Justice Minister Alma Zadik (Greens). “Will not be tolerated.” President of the Israeli Community (IKG), Oscar German. “The police and the Constitution Protection Office continually intervene and report crimes,” Carner said. Necessary security measures will be taken in close coordination between the police, the Constitution Protection Office and the IKG. There is a tradition here that is decades old; Since Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel, people have exchanged views several times a week.
According to Deutsche, the influence of “Hamas terror” and “global disinformation” is also noticeable in Austria. Since October 7, Austria has experienced “an unprecedented wave of anti-Semitism”, with an increase of 385 percent compared to the 2022 average. “It is even more important to prosecute under the rule of law crimes like incitement, support of terrorism, Nazi re-activation and similar crimes – on the streets, in schools and on the Internet,” Deutsch said, thanking Interior and Justice. Ministries for their clear stand.
