ANTI-SEMITISM IN EUROPE
Rampant antisemitism: In an interview with the «Krone» newspaper, Austria’s biggest newspaper, Michael Galibov, Vice President of the Jewish Community of Vienna, warns against imported and left-wing anti-Jewish hatred. He also calls for a dedicated ministry to protect European culture and values.
The Austrian government recently presented a «National Strategy against Antisemitism.» Michael Galibov prefers to speak of «hatred of Jews.» He says the strategy is well-intentioned, but given the dramatically increasing number of incidents against Jews, far more is needed.
He calls for increased security for Jewish institutions, the formulation of a concrete list of objectives, or criteria for «return migration,» meaning deportation.
Galibov is referring here to immigrants from Muslim-majority regions, because the so-called «imported anti-Semitism» is enormous. The vice president of the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG) notes that life is becoming increasingly difficult for Jews. His sobering conclusion: «We feel very comfortable, but no longer safe in Austria.»
Austria is gradually following a French path: For years, many Jews have been leaving France due to increasing aggression against them. In this vein, Michael Galibov advocates for a «National Action Plan for Security, Integration, and Return Migration» in Austria.
Praise for Sebastian Kurz, criticism of Andreas Babler
The entrepreneur, born in Vienna in 1980, praises the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) as a «model party in the fight against antisemitism and for the rights of Israel, especially under former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.» However, he has criticism for Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ): He primarily warns of increased antisemitism from the right wing and violent neo-Nazis.
Galibov: «I haven’t noticed anything like that on the streets. There are also current figures that show that most incidents against Jews come from left-wing pro-Palestinian groups and Muslims.»
“Europe has lost its culture.”
He added: “We always talk about values and culture. But what does that mean when people who come to us and don’t have to fear any consequences don’t respect this? Europe has lost its culture.” Galibov, who has worked in the intercultural field for 18 years, is still focused on consensus despite his harsh criticism of these developments.
However, a concerted national effort is needed to protect European values and culture. Furthermore, «To ensure its success, the project must be headquartered within the Federal Chancellor’s office, with its own dedicated Minister of the Chancellery.» Clear messages to policymakers. It remains to be seen how the response will turn out—or whether there will be one at all.
Erich Vogl
Kronen Zeitung, Austria
This article first appeared in Kronen Zeitung on November 29, 2025 and was translated from German into English.