Holocaust

Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog Visited Austria

During an official visit to Vienna, Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog praised Austria's determined fight against anti-Semitism. Herzog stressed that the Austrian government's "uncompromising fight against anti-Semitism" should serve as an "example" for other countries. He expressed his appreciation for this stance, which is highly appreciated in Israel. During a joint press conference with Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Herzog also stressed the importance of remembering the Holocaust, addressing the deep scars of that terrible time.

September 5, 2023

Simon-Wiesenthal Prize Goes to Palestinian Activist

The Simon-Wiesenthal prize for the year 2022 was awarded for the second time. This prize is being awarded for the best activism against anti-semitism. This time the main prize was awarded to the organization Zikaron Basalon.

March 14, 2023

Austrian Parliament Passed Memorial Day Resolution Regarding Romani People and Sinti

The Austrian Parliament passed the resolution regarding a memorial day for the Romani people and Sinti. As in the original motion for a resolution by the coalition parties, it is proposed that the Roma and Romnja, Sinti, and Sintizze who were persecuted and murdered under the Nazi regime be commemorated on August 2nd.

January 31, 2023

First Steps Towards the Establishment of a Shoah Center in Vienna

According to Oskar Deutsch, president of the Jewish Community Vienna (IKG), a memorial similar to those in Israel and the U.S. should also exist in Austria. Minister of Constitution Karoline Edtstadler supports such steps towards the establishment of a Shoah Center in Vienna.

January 31, 2023

Joint Commemoration of the Victims of the Shoah

On the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, representatives of the Israeli Religious Community, the Roma, the Government of Austria, the Embassy of Israel in Vienna and the humanist parliamentary parties commemorated the victims of the Shoah.

January 29, 2023

Mauthausen Memorial Research Award 2022 Awarded

The Mauthausen Memorial Research Award was presented for 2022 this year. The ceremonial presentation by the jury took place at the Vienna site of the concentration camp memorial. Two submissions convinced the jury of experts, consisting of representatives from contemporary history and memorial culture.

January 24, 2023

The 84th Anniversary of the November Pogroms in Austria

On the 84th anniversary of the November pogroms, representatives of the Republic commemorated the victims with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Shoah Name Wall Memorial in Ostarrichipark. In addition to Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and the head of government, almost all members of the government took part.

November 9, 2022

Jewish Museum in Vienna Shows Political Acts of Contrition

The Jewish Museum Vienna is showing a video installation by film artist James T. Hong as the museum's first project to have more influence on social discourse. The exhibition "Apologies" displays apologies by heads of state for crimes approved or ordered by the state.

October 12, 2022

New Educational Cooperation Between International Holocaust Memorial Yad Vashem and Austria Launched

An educational collaboration between Yad Vashem and the Austrian Parliament was formally established during the visit of the Director of the Holocaust Memorial, Dani Dayan. An agreement to work together against anti-Semitism was signed by Dani Dayan and Wolfgang Sobotka, the President of the National Council. Yad Vashem's partnership with a national parliament is the first of its kind in the world.

September 8, 2022

Austrian Remembrance Service Turns 30

The Gedenkdienst or Austrian Remembrance Service is an Austrian voluntary service celebrating its 30th anniversary since its launch. The Gedenkdienst deals with the causes and consequences of National Socialism and its crimes in Austria and the world and tries to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust in a dignified way.

September 1, 2022

Head of Yad Vashem Visits Vienna

On the occasion of his visit to Vienna, Dani Dayan, the director of the Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, comments on Corona demonstrations, and Austria's role in the Holocaust and met with high-ranking Austrian politicians.

August 31, 2022

Commemoration of the Genocides of Sinti and Roma

In Europe, the Nazis slaughtered hundreds of thousands of Sinti and Roma people. Prominent Austrian politicians, like Alexander Van der Bellen and Michael Ludwig, attended the commemoration of the Roma Holocaust Memorial Day. The OSCE also declared the importance of this day and commemorated the victims.

August 2, 2022

International Auschwitz Committee Puts Pressure on Austrian Chancellor Ahead of His Meeting With Viktor Orban

The International Ausschwitz Committee expressed its horror after racist statements and a Holocaust joke by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Committee Vice-President Christoph Heubner then called on Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer to confront Orban during his upcoming visit to Vienna.

July 27, 2022

Austria Supports the Establishment of the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam

In the Netherlands, a new Holocaust museum is currently being constructed, which will become a milestone in European remembrance. The Austrian Federal Chancellery is providing 400,000 euros to support the construction of this memorial. Austria sees this support as a sign of its understanding of the Netherlands' special historical responsibilities.

June 30, 2022

Austria Confirms Poland's Role in Aid to Ukraine

Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg visited the Polish capital Warsaw for a working visit. There, Foreign Minister Schallenberg explained that Poland is the hub for Ukraine's assistance.

June 7, 2022

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and Schallenberg Visit Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial Site

On the occasion of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27, 2022, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid visited the Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial together with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg, Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and Governor Thomas Stelzer.

January 27, 2022

#WeRemember: Heads of Austrian, German, and Israeli Parliaments Meet Ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day

German Bundestag President Bärbel Bas and Israeli Knesset President Mickey Levy recently met with Austrian National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka in Berlin to discuss the fight against anti-Semitism and the #WeRemember campaign. Read about their meeting and this important campaign ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

January 26, 2022

Israel and Austria Step Up Cooperation on Security Issues

Israeli Ambassador Mordechai Rodgold and Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner met for working talks to discuss further cooperation on security issues. Read more about their meeting and what they said about the fight against anti-Semitism.

January 18, 2022

Kurz Appointed Co-Chairman of European Tolerance Watchdog

Former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has been appointed Co-Chairman of the European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation (ECTR), an organization dedicated to combating the evils of extremism, racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia. In addition to British Prime Minister Tony Blair as chair, founder Moshe Kantor as president and, among others, board member Erhard Busek, former vice chancellor of Austria, are also involved.

January 10, 2022

OeAD: International Agency for Education and Networking Turns 60 Years Old

The Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalization (OeAD) has celebrated its 60th anniversary. Learn about the OeAD and some of its numerous programs, and watch a video with President Van der Bellen.

November 19, 2021

New Shoah Name Walls Memorial in Vienna: 64,440 Names Commemorate Humanity's Atrocity

The Austrian government unveiled the new Shoah Wall of Names Memorial on the 83rd anniversary of the November pogroms. Chancellor Schallenberg, EU Minister Edtstadler, and others spoke at the event. Read about the new memorial, what the leaders said at its opening, and watch a video of the event.

November 10, 2021

November Pogroms: Remembrance Event of the Turkish-Jewish Synagogue in Zirkusgasse

Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig, representatives from the religious communities in Vienna, and others took part in a remembrance event for the November pogroms at the location of one of the synagogues that was burned down in 1938. Read more about the solemn event and what Mayor Ludwig said.

November 10, 2021

Opening of the Memorial Exhibition "80 Years of Deportations Vienna-Riga"

Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig recently opened a new memorial exhibition entitled "80 Years of Deportations Vienna-Riga" at Vienna's central train station. The exhibition is intended to remind the public about the horrors of the Shoah and to commemorate the victims. Learn more about the new exhibition.

October 19, 2021

Antisemitic Vandalism at Auschwitz-Birkenau Highlights Alarming Trend

One day after an Austrian delegation, including President Van der Bellen, Foreign Minister Schallenberg, and EU Minister Edtstadler spoke at the opening of the new Austrian exhibition at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Memorial, the museum reported antisemitic vandalism at the camp. The shocking incident underscores a larger trend of antisemitism in Europe and around the world. Read more about the incident, the trend of antisemitism, and what is being done to combat it.

October 7, 2021

Combating Anti-Semitism in Austria: Representatives of US Jewish Organizations Briefed on New Measures

While in New York for the 76th UNGA, Foreign Minister Schallenberg and Chancellor Kurz met with representatives of various Jewish organizations and briefed them on new measures being taken to combat anti-Semitism. Read about their meetings and some of the steps they are taking to address this issue.

September 29, 2021

President of European Parliament and Sobotka Exchanged Views

David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, and Wolfgang Sobotka, Austria's National Council President, met virtually to discuss the current situation regarding the Covid-19 vaccines. The agenda of the meeting also comprised discussions about an EU-wide Holocaust commemoration and the future of the EU.

February 1, 2021

Agreement Between Israel and Austria on the Joint Use of Archival Materials

The agreement between the Israeli and Austrian governments to a joint use of archival materials is one step closer to be actually implemented. This cooperation would enhance the cooperation of the two countries with regard to the reappraisal of the Holocaust as well as to the fight against anti-Semitism.

October 16, 2020

Ground-breaking Ceremony for the Shoah Wall of Names Memorial in Ostarrichi Park in Vienna

The responsibility for the historical responsibility with regard to the darkest chapters of Austrian history now finds a visible sign of remembrance of the victims of National Socialism in the Memorial to the Jews from Austria murdered in the Shoah.

July 8, 2020

Holocaust Remembrance Day: Fighting Anti-Semitism with All Strengths

Jews should feel safe in Europe and be able to live without fear of attacks.

January 28, 2020

Remembering the Holocaust: A Perpetual Task

The Austrian Parliament commemorated the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

January 28, 2020

Minister for European Affairs Edtstadler: Inaugural Visit to Brussels

During her inaugural visit to Brussels, the new European Affairs Minister Karoline Edtstadler met members of the EU Commission as well as the Special Representative for the Fight against Anti-Semitism, Katharina von Schnurbein. In the course of her talks with EU Neighbourhood Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi, Edtstadler stressed that "Austria remains committed to the rapid start of EU accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania".

January 23, 2020

Austria's Oldest Holocaust Survivor Marko Feingold Dies at 106

The oldest Austrian survivor of the atrocities of National Socialism, Marko Feingold, was a significant contemporary witness to the Holocaust.

September 23, 2019

Commemoration of the Beginning of the Second World War 80 Years Ago

The greatest military conflict in human history was the Second World War from 1939 to 1945, which began with the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, involved directly or indirectly over 60 states and claimed the lives of over 60 million people. Both at home and abroad, the official Austria commemorated this terrible war.

September 3, 2019

Commemoration Ceremony at the Mauthausen Concentration Camp

Memorial Day against Violence and Racism for the Victims of National Socialism and Liberation of the Mauthausen Concentration Camp on 5 May 1945, where 100,000 people were murdered.

May 6, 2019

Antisemitism in Austria - Initiative to Reverse Worrying Trends

As the Jewish community in Austria reports growing concerns about the rise of antisemitism, at the invitation of the FRA - EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, local and EU policymakers, Jewish community organisations and civil society met to discuss how to combat this worrying trend.

May 3, 2019

Vienna's Jewish Square and Europe

The US historian Timothy Snyder will give a lecture on the topic "Judenplatz 1010 - A speech to Europe 2019". The place and time chosen for the lecture are no coincidence: European history is presented at Vienna’s Judenplatz like in no other place.

April 18, 2019

Fight Against Anti-Semitism - The Jewish Community in NYC and Austria

As part of his trip to the USA, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz met David Harris, Executive Director of the AJC American Jewish Committee, and once again Holocaust survivor Rabbi Arthur Schneier.

February 21, 2019

Holocaust Remembrance Day in Vienna: "We Remember"

On 27 January, the 74th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp by the Red Army was celebrated. On the occasion of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day various commemorative events were held in Vienna, among others by the Vienna Israelite Community at Heldenplatz.

January 29, 2019

80 Years of November Pogrom - Remembrance at the Site of the Former Leopoldstadt Temple, at Judenplatz near the Shoah Memorial and in Parliament

Austria commemorated the events 80 years ago. Austrian Shoah survivors from Israel received in Parliament at the Hofburg. President of the National Council Sobotka asked Austrian Shoah survivors for forgiveness. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen already reminded the day before at a commemoration ceremony of the November pogroms at the Psychosocial Centre of the Vienna Israelite Community. On the commemoration day he laid a wreath at the Shoah memorial on Judenplatz.

November 9, 2018

Erection of the Vienna Shoah Memorial Wall about to Begin

The long-planned project of a name memorial wall for the 66,000 Jews murdered in Austria during National Socialism is about to be realized. Kurt Tutter, initiator of the name wall, explained the significance of the new memorial, which will be erected in Ostarrichi Park. For him, it was a matter of commemorating his family as well as families unknown to him who had been completely wiped out by Nazi crimes.

November 9, 2018

Reception for Holocaust Survivors in the Austrian Parliament: "Never again!"

Rabbi Arthur Schneier from New York, speaking at the reception for Holocaust survivors in parliament, called for a common commitment to "Never again" and to live together in peace and mutual respect.

November 9, 2018

International Holocaust Remembrance Day Reminds Us of Need to Combat Anti-Semitism

Remembering the Holocaust reminds us of our duty to speak out against the denial of these grave crimes and to work for tolerance and non-discrimination in our societies, said keynote speakers addressing the meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, which was dedicated to commemorating the International Holocaust Remembrance Day on 27 January.

January 22, 2016

Holocaust Memorial Day: "European Jews again feeling anxious and uncertain about their future"

As people across the OSCE region commemorated the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, officials highlighted the importance for societies to stand firmly against the contemporary challenges of anti-Semitism, racism and other forms of intolerance.

January 28, 2015

OSCE Permanent Council Prepares for Upcoming International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Holocaust remembrance was the focus of today's meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council at Vienna's Hofburg in light of the upcoming International Holocaust Remembrance Day (27 January).

January 22, 2015
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