Full Breakdown
Israel Signals Dialogue with Austria’s Far-Right Freedom Party
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The remarks were welcomed by Israel’s foreign minister, who described them as an “important and positive development.”
Background & Context
The FPÖ, founded in 1956, has historical ties to the Nazi era: its first leader Anton Reinthaller served as an SS officer and agriculture minister, and its second leader Friedrich Peter was also a former SS member. The party has long been boycotted by Israel because of these origins and recurring antisemitic controversies. Since the October 7, 2023 attacks and the ensuing Gaza war, Israel has expanded contacts with European far-right parties, including Spain’s Vox and Italy’s Lega, creating a broader context for the current outreach.
Key Figures & Groups
- Herbert Kickl – Leader of the FPÖ, former Austrian interior minister; delivered the Strasbourg speech.
- Gideon Sa’ar – Israel’s foreign minister who welcomed the FPÖ statements.
- Amichai Chikli – Israel’s minister for Diaspora Affairs and combating antisemitism; promoted the diplomatic bridge.
- Harald Vilimsky – FPÖ MEP who has cultivated ties with Israeli officials.
- Oskar Deutsch – President of Vienna’s Jewish community, critical of the FPÖ’s overtures.
Data & Statistics
- The FPÖ secured 28.8 % of the vote and 57 seats in Austria’s September 29, 2024 parliamentary election, its strongest result to date, though it did not join the governing coalition.
- Kick’s speech referenced the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA)) working definition of antisemitism, a definition contested for equating many criticisms of Israel with antisemitism.
Official Statements & Responses
Israel’s foreign minister said the FPÖ’s condemnation of the October 7 massacre and its acknowledgement of Austria’s “dark chapter” create conditions for “substantive, open and sincere dialogue.”
The FPÖ pledged that, should it lead Austria’s government, it would prioritize combating antisemitism, adopt the IHRA definition, and move the Austrian embassy to Jerusalem, citing the Jewish people’s historic connection to Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).
Criticism & Opposition
Oskar Deutsch, president of Vienna’s Jewish community, expressed “great relief” after the FPÖ failed to form a governing coalition, warning that the party’s supporters include many who still espouse Third Reich ideology. He described recent meetings between FPÖ officials and Israeli leaders as “extremely worrying,” emphasizing that policy statements do not erase the party’s extremist past.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Foreign Minister’s Name: i24 News and ynet identify the minister as Gideon Sa’ar, while el Pais refers to him as Gideon Saar. The discrepancy is noted without a definitive resolution.
- Policy Shift Extent: Some sources state Israel has not formally altered its boycott of the FPÖ, while others suggest the recent remarks indicate a move toward normalization. The precise status of any policy change remains unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Against the backdrop of the complex history, Israel views these statements as an important and positive development, but building trust also requires translating commitments into actions,” — Gideon Sa’ar, foreign minister
What’s Next
Israel’s officials indicated that further dialogue will focus on practical cooperation, including potential embassy relocation plans, but no concrete timetable has been announced. The FPÖ’s future electoral performance and its ability to form a government will likely influence the depth of any emerging partnership.