Elevate your local knowledge
Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!
Jewish community shuns Austria’s new far-right ministers
VIENNA – Jewish community leaders in Austria say they’ll keep shunning the nationalist Freedom Party, despite it joining the country’s new government.
The Jewish Community of Vienna, which represents most Jews in Austria, says its leadership voted unanimously Tuesday against establishing contacts with representatives of the Freedom Party. The decision continues a practice started in 2000.
The Freedom Party is in a coalition with the conservative Austrian People’s Party and holds key ministries including interior, defence and foreign affairs.
In a statement Wednesday, the Jewish Community cited the Freedom Party’s links to a nationalist student fraternity steeped in anti-Semitic ideology, its calls for a ban on religious animal slaughter and its members’ efforts to abolish anti-Nazi legislation.
Almost a third of 206,000 Jews living in pre-war Austria were killed in the Holocaust.
News from © iNFOnews.ca, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
