Austria's Meinl-Reisinger Intensifies Middle East Diplomacy and Calls for De-Escalation and Two-State Solution

PeopleDiplomats ♦ Published: July 3, 2025; 09:12 ♦ (Vindobona)

Austria has ramped up its diplomatic efforts in the Middle East over the last few days, while also massively increasing its humanitarian support for the suffering civilian population in Gaza. Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) completed a trip lasting several days that took her to Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, and Ramallah in the Palestinian territories to promote de-escalation, a ceasefire, and a sustainable two-state solution.

Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger visited the impact site of Iranian missiles in Bat Yam with her Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar (l.), and the mayor of Bat Yam, Tzvika Brot (r.). / Picture: © BMEIA Bundesministerium für Europa, Integration und Äußeres / Michael Gruber / Flickr Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0 DEED)

Meinl-Reisinger's trip, which took her from Cyprus to Egypt and Jordan to Israel and Ramallah, was the first by an Austrian foreign minister to Israel since the recent escalation between Israel and Iran. The foreign minister emphasized the urgency of returning to diplomacy and the negotiating table. The key messages at all stops were the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza, the…