More Than a Bad Joke
Die Presse, guest commentary Dr. Florian Herb, May 9, 2024
German original: https://www.diepresse.com/18448348/mehr-als-ein-schlechter-scherz
Anti-Semitism. The paint bag attack on Minister Edtstadler proves that the anti-Israeli protest has reached Vienna
Not a terrorist attack, just a paint bag from a bucket. Nevertheless, anyone who sees an “attack” at close range in the middle of the day in Vienna's city center is initially in shock in these difficult times. The possibility of acts of violence is too strongly imprinted in our minds. Hybrid wars and politically motivated crime are worrying us. In Germany, the lead candidate of the Social Democrats for the European elections has just been seriously injured by four unidentified people while putting up posters. Attacks on politicians are on the increase.
At 9.15 a.m. on Monday, a well-known activist targeted Karoline Edtstadler, Minister of the Constitution, with fake blood in front of the Academy of Sciences in the city center. The minister opened the renowned and important anti-Semitism conference a few minutes later. The activist, himself a member of the Jewish community in Vienna, is no stranger to anti-Semitism. In January 2023, he blocked a street in Vienna as a radical climate activist, a member of the “Last Generation”. His loudly shouted protest was directed “against the normalization of genocide” and for a “ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip. After he threw himself on the ground, he was taken away by the police, who were already standing by.
Such actions do no favors for seriousness. After all, anti-Semitic incidents are on the rise not only in Vienna, but throughout Europe. As the European Commission summarizes: “Europe's Jews are living in fear again. We are witnessing a resurgence of anti-Semitic incidents and anti-Semitic rhetoric within the European Union and worldwide: Molotov cocktails are thrown at a synagogue in Germany, Jewish stars are thrown at public buildings in France, a Jewish cemetery is vandalized in Austria, Jewish stores and synagogues are attacked in Spain, while protesters chant hate slogans against Jews.”
On October 7, 2023, Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel barbarically reinforced the existing “world disorder” outlined at the beginning and initiated a war - with a direct impact on us too. Anti-Semitism is spreading, in Islamism, in right-wing extremism and also in left-wing extremism. Minister Edtstadler only pointed this out shortly before the conference. Perhaps this is another reason why she should be “intimidated”?
Rifts are opening up
We know: The longer the Israeli campaign against Hamas lasts, the more rifts open up in Europe's societies. The strange statements made by climate icon Greta Thunberg, for example, show how strongly pro-Palestinian views are being lobbied and supported. Major protests have been taking place for weeks in many countries, especially at universities. However, only a small proportion of these have been directed against Hamas, but the majority against the reactions expected from Israel. The action in Vienna unfortunately fits in here and probably does not coincide with the setting up of a “Pro Palestine” protest camp on the university campus in the Old General Hospital. Of course, protest in a democracy is fundamentally desirable and legitimate, but the motives and the “how” should be critically scrutinized.
About the author:
Dr. Florian Hartleb (*1979) is Research Director at the European Institute for Counter-Terrorism and Conflict Prevention, where he has just published a study on the rise of anti-Semitism.