The Jewish Austrian Students’ Union (JöH) is organising a seven-day vigil against the far-right extremist FPÖ ahead of the 2024 national elections.
The , often dubbed the ‘party of basement Nazis,’ has announced Herbert Kickl as their candidate for “People’s Chancellor”—a title once claimed by Adolf Hitler. Founded by committed Nazis, the FPÖ continues to embody its original ideology, with antisemitic fraternity members, far-right demagogues, and neo-fascists pushing forward a divisive and hate-driven agenda that threatens all Austrians.
The vigil aims to highlight the historical and ongoing danger posed by the “People’s Chancellors” on Heldenplatz. For young Jews, every National Council election brings anxiety and concern. A video installation captures this through provocative questions and answers, with phrases such as: “Would Herbert Kickl have hidden us back then?” and “Herbert Kickl would have deported us,” projected on both sides of the castle gate.
Alon Ishay, President of the Jewish Austrian Students’ Union (JöH), explains the meaning behind the video installation at the Burgtor: “As young Jews, we often confront the tragic question of who would have hidden us during the Nazi era. The FPÖ leader’s response is brief and chilling: Herbert Kickl would have deported us.”
EJC President Dr Ariel Muzicant participated in the vigil and expressed his deep concern over the rising influence of far-right extremism in Austria.
Each day of the vigil will feature speeches and contributions from the following notable figures, among others:
- Elfriede Jelinek, author and Nobel Prize laureate in literature
- Robert Schindel, author and Holocaust survivor
- Doron Rabinovici, author and historian
- Julya Rabinowich, author and columnist
- Eric Frey, The Standard
- Claudia Prutscher, Vice President of the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG)
- Bini Guttmann, Executive Council of the World Jewish Congress
