Van der Bellen Gives Speech in Memory of November Pogroms: "Antisemitism Has no Place Here"

Der Standard, November 6, 3023
German original: https://www.derstandard.at/story/3000000194035/novemberpogrome-van-der-bellen-betont-verantwortung-214sterreichs

The Federal President appeared at a rally in Wels: "Jews are part of Austria and must be able to feel safe and at home here"

Wels/Vienna - At a rally organized by the Wels Initiative against Fascism (Antifa) to commemorate the November pogroms, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen called for Austria's "everlasting responsibility." "In view of the terrible, barbaric acts committed against Jews on our soil," it is the duty of the Republic and its representatives to "stand up resolutely and with the deepest conviction against all forms of antisemitism."

On the night of November 10, 1938, synagogues in Austria were set on fire, Jewish stores were looted and Jews were abused. At the traditional ceremony on Monday evening in front of the Jewish memorial in Pollheimerpark in Wels, Van der Bellen recalled how Nazi hordes "well-orchestrated by their leadership" wreaked havoc 85 years ago. "Many, too many looked the other way or even cheered in approval when the crimes were committed."

"Antisemitism has no place here. Hate has no place here," said Van der Bellen, emphasizing Austria's resulting responsibility. It does not matter whether it is "the long-established antisemitism that we repeatedly encounter from dark corners and stuffy cellars in our country" or "Islamist or anti-Israeli motivated antisemitism, as is now manifesting itself in some places." Statements that deny Israel's right to exist should not be tolerated, nor should attacks on Jewish institutions or disparagement of the Israeli flag, warned the Head of State, emphasizing: "Jews are part of Austria and must be able to feel safe and at home here."

Van der Bellen: "Hamas is a terrorist organization"

"Our response to antisemitism of any origin must be tough, clear and unambiguous. Those who live in Austria, those who want to live in Austria, not only enjoy human rights, but also have human duties." Those who believe they can "use the prevailing tolerance for intolerance must bear the consequences,"said Van der Bellen.

The Federal President emphasized that it was also important for Austria's credibility to name things and made it clear: "Hamas is a terrorist organization whose goal is the annihilation of Israel, and nothing justifies its actions." The attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 "was a sadistic, abysmally terrible act of terror" that should not be relativized.

The rally, which has been taking place for 25 years, not only commemorates the victims of the Holocaust, but also calls for the fight against racism and antisemitism in the present day, said Antifa chairman Werner Retzl in the run-up to the event - "unfortunately a highly topical issue". He reminded the audience that, according to the Ministry of Justice, there had been almost 2,400 criminal proceedings for Nazi reactivation and Holocaust denial in the previous year and that antisemitic incidents had increased again following the Hamas attack.

Appeal to the youth

Martin Kamrat, Vice President of the Jewish Community Linz, said that he found it particularly difficult to find the right words for this year's commemoration. "While we are commemorating here together, a war is raging in Israel and 200 people are still being held hostage by Hamas," while at the same time antisemitism is on the rise worldwide "and unfortunately also in Austria." Kamrat appealed to the youth: "The young generation is the shaper of the future. They should work for a world in which the horrors of the past never happen again, for peace, social justice and sustainability." They also have the task of keeping the memory alive. At the commemoration ceremony, pupils from BRG Wallerer Straße took on this task: they described the fates of Holocaust victims from Wels.

Parliament commemorates the November pogroms on Thursday in the National Council Chamber. The opening speech will be given by National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka (ÖVP), a video message of greeting will come from Amir Ohana, the President of the Israeli Knesset. The President of the Jewish Community of Vienna, Oskar Deutsch, will also be present. Prior to this, representatives of the federal government will lay a wreath at the Shoah Wall of Names in Vienna. Due to the Middle East conflict, increased security measures will be taken at all celebrations this year. (APA, red, 6.11.2023)