2023-10-11 17:12:07
“We stand by Israel’s side in these difficult times.” Federal President Alexander van der Bellen made this known on Wednesday as part of a memorial event initiated by the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG) for the Israeli victims of Hamas terror at Ballhausplatz in downtown Vienna. In a message delivered by actress Mercedes Echerer, Van der Bedllen also stated: “No political cause justifies such crimes.”
The atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists, which previously seemed unimaginable, were “pure hatred,” said the Federal President in his statement as part of the IKG commemoration, which, according to the police, was attended by up to 200 people. It opened with a prayer by Chief Rabbi Jaron Engelmayer.
“We must not remain silent when Jews fall victim again. The whole world, every institution and every state, must exert influence to end the violence. All hostages must be released immediately – people must not be used as bargaining chips,” emphasized Das Head of state who, according to the organizers, was unable to attend due to illness.
About a thousand people were brutally murdered, including many women and children, recalled Van der Bellen. “A pogrom of unfathomable proportions is unfolding before our eyes. The terrorists are filming these atrocities and triumphantly posting them online.”
For many Jews, Israel is “not just a country,” the Federal President announced. “It is more than that – a place of refuge after the Holocaust. A guarantee that Jews will never be persecuted again.” “Never again” still applies, even in the face of these tragedies. Many Jews in Austria are grieving or fearing for relatives and friends in Israel, Van der Bellen noted. “My deepest sympathy goes out to you.”
At the beginning of the commemoration, IKG President Oskar Deutsch described some of the numerous fates of people who fell victim to the attacks. “The bestiality is limitless,” said Deutsch about it.
A conscious decision was made not to show any pictures or videos of the events at the event. “We all know her and will probably never forget her,” said Deutsch. “We must and will never forget this,” he said.
The IKG president referred to the case of an Austrian who was also killed in the attacks. Austrian Jews in particular have a special relationship with Israel, says Deutsch. Israel is the spiritual home of Judaism. “We are Austrians and carry Israel in our hearts.” Now we have to ensure that a massacre like Saturday’s never happens again, he said.
Deutsch thanked all security forces for making the event possible, but also criticized the fact that Jews worldwide still need to be protected from attacks. “How much longer?” he asked.
The Israelite Cultural Community (IKG) had previously requested that on the way to Ballhausplatz or when leaving the event, any Israeli flags, banners, etc. that were carried should be kept hidden and that people should avoid the area around Stephansplatz, where a pro-Palestinian demonstration was originally planned.
It is now not just the security forces that have to take action against the threat, but also the entire civil society. This can also be achieved through such events. There are also Hamas supporters in Vienna who approve of their kidnappings and murders. “But they also have allies who don’t openly applaud Hamas’ terror. There are a few Hamas apologists in the media and academia who are given a daily media platform for their relativizations.”
But they also have allies who do not openly applaud Hamas’ terror. Isolated Hamas apologists in the media and science who receive a daily media platform for their relativizations. Regardless of whether in Gaza or Israel, there is only one person clearly responsible for deaths: “Hamas,” says Deutsch.
National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka, Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (both ÖVP), Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens), Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ), NEOS club chairwoman Beate Meinl-Reisinger should take the floor.
A pro-Palestine demo in downtown Vienna that was scheduled for Wednesday evening had been banned a few hours earlier. According to eyewitnesses, around 150 people gathered at Stephansplatz, some with Palestinian flags. The police pointed out that a rally had been banned.
Terrorists carried out a massacre of Israeli civilians in border towns and at a music festival on Saturday on behalf of Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. According to the army, the number of deaths is more than 1,200. At least 3,000 other people were injured. The number of Palestinians killed in Israeli counterattacks in the Gaza Strip rose to at least 1,100 on Wednesday, according to Palestinian figures. The Ministry of Health in Gaza said over 5,300 other people were injured.
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