Israeli FM Welcomes Austrian Far-Right Leader's October 7 Condemnation

Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) leader Herbert Kickl condemned the October 7 Hamas attacks for the first time, stating they do not constitute resistance, and apologized for Austria's role in the Holocaust. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar welcomed the remarks as an important and positive development, potentially signaling a shift in Israel's official boycott policy against the far-right party.

Condemnation of October 7 and Historical Apology

Speaking in a recent address, Kickl explicitly named Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Boko Haram as terrorist organizations responsible for severe violence. He stated that the October 7 massacre was the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, characterizing it as a crime against humanity and a war crime. Furthermore, he offered a direct apology to Holocaust survivors, their descendants, and the Jewish community, particularly Austrian Jews.

"Israel views these remarks as an important and positive development against the background of our complex history, but building trust also requires translating commitments into actions," said Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar.

Potential Policy Shift and Diplomatic Reactions

The Freedom Party won the Austrian parliamentary elections in 2024 with 29% of the vote, though it failed to form a government as other parties refused to form a coalition with it due to its historical roots and controversial positions. Sa'ar noted that Kickl's statements pave the way for substantive and open dialogue. Israeli officials also highlighted Kickl's declared commitment to deepening cooperation, recognizing the historical connection of the Jewish people to Judea and Samaria, and supporting the relocation of the Austrian embassy to Jerusalem. Ministry officials acknowledged that European Parliament member Harald Vilimsky, Minister Amichai Chikli, and Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan were involved in diplomatic efforts leading up to the address.