The new edition of a biannual antisemitism survey carried out on behalf of the Austrian Parliament will be expanded and adapted to address new challenges.
“We are noticing an increased occurrence of antisemitism in Austria. It is no longer just about old, traditional antisemitism from the far right, but also about far-left antisemitism and anti-Zionism brought in through migration to Austria,” said the President of the National Council, Wolfgang Sobotka, at press conference in Salzburg, in the aftermath of violent attacks on the synagogue of Graz and of the President of the local Jewish community.
The follow-up survey scheduled for autumn 2020 will take into account experiences from other countries and included people with a migration background in a representative manner, Sobotka emphasised.
2,700 people were interviewed in the original survey, carried out by the IFES institute in 2018. In addition, so-called “supplementary groups” of around 300 Turkish or Arabic-speaking long-term residents of Austria were interviewed. One of the findings of the first survey was that hostility against Jews was much more evident in the latter group.
“Antisemitism is no longer being combatted as efficiently as it was in the past, but is nevertheless increasing across Europe,” he added. Therefore, it is crucial to recognise the roots of antisemitism and to take action.
In addition, the President of the National Council announced plans to set up a chair for research on antisemitism at the Austrian Academy of Sciences.
