Israeli Minister Meets Austrian Far-Right Party Leaders in Vienna
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli met with senior officials from Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) in Vienna, marking a significant diplomatic shift. The meeting followed an apology from FPÖ Chairman Herbert Kickl regarding the party's past and his adoption of the IHRA antisemitism definition. Chikli described the engagement as the culmination of two years of diplomatic efforts, aiming to build bridges with sovereign right-wing parties in Europe against extremism and antisemitism.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli met with leaders of Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) in Vienna.
- The meeting is the first between an Israeli minister and the FPÖ, a party officially boycotted by Israel.
- The engagement follows an apology from FPÖ Chairman Herbert Kickl and his adoption of the IHRA antisemitism definition.
- Minister Chikli has been working to build relations with the FPÖ for the past two years.
- Discussions focused on Holocaust education and joint efforts against antisemitism.
- Chikli views the engagement as part of a broader strategy to ally with European sovereign right-wing parties.
Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli of the Likud party held a groundbreaking meeting in Vienna with senior officials from Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), a party with historical Nazi ties. This marks the first encounter between an Israeli minister and leaders of the FPÖ, which has been officially boycotted by Israel. Chikli has been engaged in diplomatic outreach to the party for the past two years, facilitated by Harald Vilimsky, chairman of the European Patriots' Movement, who is linked to the FPÖ.
The meeting followed a significant speech by FPÖ Chairman Herbert Kickl in September, where he apologized to the Jewish people for his party's past, adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism, and expressed support for moving Austria's embassy to Jerusalem. Chikli described Kickl's speech as a "crossing of the Rubicon" in the party's relations with Israel and the Jewish people.
During his visit, Minister Chikli also met with Walter Rosenkranz, the FPÖ's candidate for Austrian president and second-highest-ranking official in the party. The meeting, also attended by Vilimsky, Knesset Member Ariel Kallner, and Jewish community president Eli Rosen, was the first of its kind between an Israeli minister and an FPÖ leader. The group also toured the Austrian Parliament building.
Chikli highlighted the trust built over the past two years, drawing parallels to successful collaborations with Spain's VOX party and France's RN party. Discussions focused on enhancing Holocaust education in Austrian schools and joint initiatives against antisemitism. Chikli emphasized shared values of nationalism, community, and family as a basis for cooperation. Vilimsky credited Chikli's persistent efforts for the progress made.
Chikli also participated in a Kristallnacht commemoration ceremony in Graz, accompanied by an FPÖ representative. He coordinated these meetings with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and also met with Israel's Ambassador to Austria, David Rot. Chikli stated the visit was the culmination of his two-year diplomatic effort, part of a broader policy to engage with sovereign right-wing parties in Europe, breaking decades of Israeli boycott. He views these parties as crucial allies against progressive leftism and Islamo-Nazism, representing a last chance for nation-states to reverse negative trends.
When asked about the timing during a transitional government period, Chikli's spokesperson stated that the minister "had been working on this for two years." Vilimsky praised Chikli's vision and ability to build international conservative alliances, expressing confidence in their joint fight against extremism, Islamism, and antisemitism.