Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen spoke out against “all forms of anti-Semitism” and hatred in his TV speech on the national holiday. “There is no place for anti-Semitism here,” the head of state emphasized. Van der Bellen called on politicians from all parties to avoid populism and instead focus on solving concrete problems.
“Today we celebrate our homeland. We celebrate Austria,” Van der Bellen explains. You can’t be thankful enough for the peace in the country. “We live in a world in which this peace is anything but self-evident,” Van der Bellen said, recalling Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the attack on Israel by the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas. “Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel is terrible and despicable. The cold, calculating and systematic way in which children, mothers and fathers were targeted, how they were tortured and murdered without any compassion, is reminiscent in its deep, hopeless darkness of the darkest times in our history.”
“Against any form of anti-Semitism”
“It is our continued responsibility, especially in view of the terrible, barbaric acts committed on our territory against fellow Jewish citizens, to speak out strictly and resolutely and from the depths of our hearts against any form of anti-Semitism.” the Federal President emphasized. “Anti-Semitism has no place here. There is no place for hatred here.” The consequences of the Hamas terror “were and are largely borne by civilians on both sides,” Van der Bellen criticized. “Ultimately, it is the innocent, uninvolved children, women, men, families, those least able to defend themselves, who are most terribly affected. This is the inexorable logic of hatred, aggression, terror and war.”
If you are confronted with new bad news every day, “where you feel like you cannot change anything, you run the risk of becoming numb,” Van der Bellen warned. He still asks the population: “Despite everything, never completely lose sight of what is important. We must never be indifferent to developments in our country and our world.” We must distinguish between news that is created only to generate clicks and contribute to boring, and news that is essential and important. “Trust the numerous journalists who conduct serious investigations with the help of credible sources,” the Federal President advised.
Call to politicians: “Concentrate on essential tasks”
Moreover, it is the responsibility of politicians “to ensure that we do not fall into apparently simple explanatory models that ultimately drive our society apart for the sake of maximizing votes,” the head of state said. “Populism does not solve our problems.” Politicians should not get lost in “side issues and pseudo-discussions”. “Concentrate on your essential tasks and solving specific problems and avoid confusion and distraction,” Van der Bellen explicitly called on politicians of all parties.
In dark and confusing times you should not forget that ‘there is still light: we ourselves’, says Van der Bellen. “We belong together and we have to be there for each other. Despite all the differences of opinion that may exist: Austria is home to us all.” The Austria he believes in is “compassionate, helpful, intelligent, forward-looking, liberal, hospitable, social, free and peace-loving,” he explains. Van der Bellen. “Let’s appreciate this country and each other.”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
