Israeli Minister Meets Austrian Far-Right Leaders in Historic First
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli met with leaders of Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) in a historic first. The meeting, coordinated with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, included discussions on Holocaust education and combating antisemitism. The rapprochement follows public remorse from FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl regarding the party's past and his pledge to support moving Austria's embassy to Jerusalem. Chikli also met with the Israeli Ambassador and attended a Kristallnacht commemoration ceremony.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Minister Amichai Chikli met with Austrian far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) leaders in an unprecedented official visit.
- The meeting followed FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl's public remorse and pledge to move Austria's embassy to Jerusalem.
- Discussions focused on expanding Holocaust education and joint efforts against antisemitism.
- Chikli cited shared conservative values and opposition to the progressive left and radical Islam as basis for partnership.
- The visit included attending a Kristallnacht commemoration ceremony in Graz.
Israel's Minister of Diaspora Affairs, Amichai Chikli, held an unprecedented official meeting with the leadership of Austria's Freedom Party (FPÖ), a party long considered a red line by the Israeli establishment due to its historical background. During the visit, Chikli met with the Chairman of the Austrian Parliament and FPÖ member Walter Rosenkranz, along with other senior party officials including Harald Vilimsky. The meeting, coordinated with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, also included Member of Knesset Ariel Kallner and Eli Rosen, President of the Jewish Community in Graz.
The groundbreaking nature of the meeting follows a two-year rapprochement process initiated by Chikli with elements of the Austrian party. A key development that paved the way was a speech by FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl in September, where he publicly expressed remorse to the Jewish people for his party's historical role, adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, and pledged to support moving Austria's embassy to Jerusalem. Chikli described this pledge as "crossing the Rubicon."
During discussions at the parliament, participants addressed expanding Holocaust education programs in Austrian schools and joint initiatives to combat antisemitism. Chikli stated that the partnership is founded on right-wing conservative values of national identity, community, and family, as well as a shared stance against the progressive left and radical Islam. He characterized this as a continuation of his policy shift towards sovereign right-wing parties in Europe, citing Spain's Vox and France's National Rally as examples.
As part of his visit, the minister also met with Israel's Ambassador to Austria, David Rot, and participated with FPÖ representatives in a ceremony commemorating Kristallnacht in Graz. Senior FPÖ officials praised the initiative, thanking Chikli for building diplomatic bridges and for the political vision that led to the breaking of the boycott.
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