In the aftermath of significant electoral successes for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the states of Saxony and Thuringia, Oskar Deutsch, President of the Israeli Cultural Community (IKG), has issued a warning against Herbert Kickl and the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ).
Deutsch urges Austrians not to vote for the FPÖ, stressing that the country should be led by parties that do not pit people against each other.
“It is often the case that what happens in Germany eventually arrives in Austria,” Deutsch noted, highlighting the events in Saxony and Thuringia as a stark warning for Austria.
He expressed concern over the increasing radicalization within the political landscape, asserting that incidents like those seen in Germany on Sunday should not be repeated in Austria on September 29.
Deutsch emphasized the importance of choosing a party that seeks peace rather than one that divides, such as the AfD or the FPÖ.
While a majority of Austrians oppose the FPÖ, he reiterated that voters must clearly reject parties that create division. He specifically called out the FPÖ for its associations and rhetoric, stating, “Do not vote for a party that wants to drive people apart or one that does not credibly distance itself from the Identitarians, who have been linked to Holocaust denial and calls for a ‘Srebrenica 2.0.'”
Highlighting Kickl’s previous comments comparing the Identitarians to a right-wing NGO and even likening them to Greenpeace, Deutsch labeled this comparison as scandalous.
Austria, he argued, needs a stable political environment that fosters unity rather than one that alienates or divides its citizens.
The rise in antisemitism, particularly since the Hamas attack on Israel, has exacerbated these concerns. “It is not just about antisemitism; it is about Austria. We do not deserve to live in turmoil.”
Despite these fears, Oskar Deutsch believes that Austria’s democracy is strong enough to withstand such challenges and should not engage in risky political experiments. However, he cautioned that radical forces like the FPÖ are gradually undermining human rights and respect for others. “First come the words, then follow the actions,” he concluded.
