The President of the Jewish Communities of Austria and the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG), Oskar Deutsch, has warned that time is running short to realise the Holocaust Centre planned by the Austrian government. In an interview, he said his hope was for an opening that Shoah survivors would still be able to attend.
Deutsch originally proposed the idea of a Holocaust Centre himself. The project has since been included in the government programme, although for budgetary reasons only a feasibility study has so far been commissioned.
He stressed that the centre should not be seen as a Jewish project but as one of the Republic as a whole, underlining its national importance. The centre is intended to be located at a prominent site in Vienna.
Another major priority for the IKG President is the renovation and restoration of the Stadttempel to mark its 200th anniversary. Works are already under way, and Deutsch expects the timetable to be respected, allowing for reopening in September 2026.
One third of the costs have been covered by the federal government, one third by the City of Vienna, with the remainder to be financed through donations. Around half of this final share has already been raised.
Following controversy over Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, Deutsch welcomed the decision by the European Broadcasting Union to allow the country to take part. He said diversity had prevailed and expressed confidence that the ORF and the City of Vienna would host an outstanding event.
Deutsch also voiced deep concern about the sharp rise in antisemitic incidents, particularly since the escalation of the Middle East conflict. He warned that strong antisemitism ultimately threatens democracy as a whole, not only Jewish communities, and called for joint action by politicians and civil society against what he described as a “cancer”.
The release of hostages held by the terrorist organisation Hamas was described by Deutsch as a source of great relief and joy. While acknowledging the immense suffering caused by the war on both sides, he emphasised that responsibility lies with terrorist groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
Deutsch also praised Austria’s strong tradition of interfaith dialogue and announced upcoming meetings with Vienna’s newly appointed Archbishop Josef Grünwidl and the new Evangelical Lutheran Bishop Cornelia Richter. He described existing dialogue as exemplary by international standards.
