Antisemitic conspiracy theories are on the rise among young Austrians, according to a recent study

Austrian National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka presented an updated study on antisemitism among young people in Austria. The previous data was collected in autumn 2022, prior to the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The new survey focused on individuals aged 16 to 27 and was conducted in summer 2024.

One key finding indicates that many young people view the Middle Eastern conflict as concerning, with 56% worried about its spread to neighbouring countries. Other significant concerns included Israeli hostages held by Hamas (51%) and the Palestinian civilian population (50%). In contrast, fewer respondents expressed worry about the Israeli civilian population (41%) and global Jewish security (37%).

Almost 60% described the Hamas attack as a “despicable act of terror,” yet only a third deemed Israel’s response justified. The study highlights a correlation between views on the Hamas attack and antisemitic attitudes; those who regard the attack as terrorism are less likely to hold anti-Semitic views.

The report also noted a troubling increase in acceptance of conspiracy myths, with a rise in the belief that Israeli actions are comparable to Nazi crimes. Additionally, 43% agreed that “the Israelis basically treat the Palestinians no differently than the Germans treated the Jews in World War II.” The sense of moral obligation among Austrians to support Jews, owing to the Holocaust, has decreased from 49% in 2022 to 42% in 2024.

The study revealed that antisemitism is particularly prevalent among young men, those inclined towards conspiracy theories, and individuals with lower educational attainment. It stressed the need for stronger antisemitism combat efforts in schools and other institutions, with a focus on engaging younger audiences through initiatives in the federal army and civil service.

Conducted by the Institute for Empirical Social Research (IFES) and Demox Research, this study is part of a biennial series commissioned by Parliament since 2018. The current survey aimed to compare findings from 2022 with the new data from 2024, maintaining a similar methodological approach to ensure comparability. The sample comprised 521 respondents, with a near-equal gender distribution and diverse backgrounds in terms of education and religious affiliation.

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