In Israel, Austrian chancellor vows to fight ‘all forms of antisemitism’

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz vowed to fight “all forms of anti-Semitism” with determination as he met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday, promising to combat both traditional European anti-Semitism and the modern anti-Semitism being imported to Europe from the Middle East.

Kurz is on a two-day visit to Israel, his first since entering a coalition deal with the far-right Freedom Party that was founded by former Nazis but says it has left its Nazi past behind.

Israel has previously said it would not have direct contact with Freedom Party officials, accusing the party of Nazi links. Israeli media reported on Sunday that Kurz would be asking Netanyahu to end this boycott.

At a joint press conference with Kurz, Netanyahu called the Austrian leader “a true friend of Israel and the Jewish people.”

“I think you demonstrated that today when you went to the Kotel, the Western Wall,” Netanyahu said. “I hope that other European leaders will follow your important example.”

Kurz thanked Netanyahu for his kind words and for the personal relationship he said they have had ever since Kurz served as Austria’s foreign minister.

“Today the relations between Austria and Israel are extremely good. We Austrians know that in light of our own history, we have a special responsibility toward Israel and the Jewish people,” Kurz said. “I can assure you that Austria will fight all forms of anti-Semitism in Europe with determination, be it the still existing one or newly imported anti-Semitism.”

In an interview with Israel Hayom on Monday, Kurz discussed a wide range of issues, from reports he had asked Netanyahu to end Israel’s official boycott of Freedom Party officials in Austria’s government to possible changes to the EU policy toward Israel when Austria assumes the rotating EU presidency next month.

Q: Did you speak with Netanyahu about Israel’s boycott of FPO? Is this a problem for you? Did you ask Netanyahu to change the policy regarding FPO?

“Well, we don’t see it as a boycott but rather concerns from the Israeli side regarding the Freedom Party. We respect the decision [not to meet with FPO officials]. The Freedom Party formed a committee of historians to examine the history of their party … because of cases of anti-Semitism in their party, and the party leader also said that there’s no room for anti-Semitism in his party and that he will kick everybody out who doesn’t accept this. So I think that they started a process, and maybe this process will convince the Israeli government. But no matter how they decide, we will accept their decision.”

Q: Every country has the right to choose its capital. Why don’t Austria and other European countries recognize Israel’s capital?

“We totally understand [this right] … but on the other hand, we think the basis for such a decision should be the two-state solution and negotiation between the two parties.”

Q: But even if there is an agreement at some point, which seems unlikely, recognition by Europe or Austria now does not stand in the way of an agreement. You can recognize Jerusalem, as other countries did, and then afterward, if there is an agreement and Jerusalem is divided, then it can be the capital of two countries. But why not do now what is quite obvious?

“Because we think the first step should be a negotiated solution.”

Q: Austria will soon take the presidency of the European Union. If other European countries, like the Czech Republic, wish to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, as EU president, will you support that?

“That is a decision that must be made by every country. Austria will not pressure the Czech Republic or other countries in their decision-making process.”

Q: You met today with Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid, and he asked you to recognize the Golan Heights as Israeli territory. What is your position on that?

“I also talked with Bibi [Netanyahu] about it. I think it’s a very complex question from a legal perspective. We certainly understand that the situation is Syria is a dramatic one, so I think there will be further debates about this issue between Israel and its partners and friends like Austria.”

Q: If Israel were to ask you to recognize the existing situation, not to officially recognize Israeli sovereignty, but in practical terms to recognize the Golan Heights as Israeli, what would your response be?

“There is no such request on the table. But the prime minister made his point very clear. I can assure you of that.”

Q: There is another Israeli demand, to pull all Iranian forces out of Syria after the war. The German chancellor [Angela Merkel] has supported this.

“We also support it because we don’t need more weapons and more soldiers in Syria than there are at the moment, especially not from Iran. We know that Iran still has the words ‘destroy Israel’ inscribed on their missiles. We totally understand Israel’s security needs, and I think that Iran has to change its policy toward Israel.”

Q: There is a European policy to equate settlements and terror attacks as obstacles to peace. In your view, are they comparable obstacles to peace?

“No. There can be no comparison. There can never be an argument for terror attacks. Of course, we have a critical view of the settlement policy.”

Q: Will anything change between the EU and Israel when you are president?

“During our presidency, we will try to have a stronger focus on the fight against anti-Semitism in Europe because it’s unacceptable that in some European capitals, Jews do not feel safe anymore. And we have to fight anti-Semitism, in both its traditional and imported forms. And the second thing is we will try to foster greater understanding of Israel’s special situation and security needs, as a country in this region of the world.”

Kurz also confirmed his government closed seven mosques in Austria and deported a dozen imams.

“We took these steps because the imams and also the mosques did not respect the Austrian law on Islam,” he said.