National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka (ÖVP) wants to counter the anti-Semitism that has arisen in Europe and Austria since the Hamas attack on Israel with more education. At the same time, stricter measures against illegal migration are also needed, the president said on Sunday, in view of “imported anti-Semitism” from immigrants.
Parts of the population need a different attitude and that is why education is so important, Sobotka said in the ORF press hour. Research shows that well-educated young people are “significantly less anti-Semitic”. Israel’s right to exist should never be questioned. Because the promise was made to those who suffered so much during the Holocaust “that they will have a safe place,” he emphasized.
“Anti-Semitism has never gone away”
“Anti-Semitism has never disappeared, but has manifested itself very clearly in recent years,” Sobotka said. Anti-Semitism is known from the right-wing scene, but also from the left-wing scene. But one must “recognize that migration has also brought imported anti-Semitism to Austria.”
What is needed is a “clear political position that must also be followed by action”. “It makes no sense to say that you have imported anti-Semitism and on the other hand that you need more escape routes (from the Gaza Strip, mind you).” According to him, an atmosphere of “refugee welcome” should not arise again, as in 2015. “Irregular migration is the greatest plague,” says Sobotka.
The right to asylum is beyond dispute
However, he “certainly does not doubt” the right to asylum, but he does doubt “irregular, illegal immigration”. However, this cannot be done by one country alone, but must be done jointly at EU level: ‘There must be clear protection of the external borders.’ Sobotka answered the question of whether a ‘more robust’ approach to deportations was necessary, but pointed out that it appeared that agreements with the countries of origin were often lacking. These are a condition for deportations.
Against general accusations
At the same time, the chairman of the National Council defended himself against general accusations: he had “many friends among Muslim youth” who were against anti-Semitism. “You have to stand behind them and not lump everyone together,” he emphasized. From an international perspective, Sobotka would like to see a coalition against the terrorist organization Hamas, similar to the one against IS.
When asked about the criticism of his ÖVP, which works with the FPÖ in Lower Austria, Sobotka said he did not want to change the political changes. Moreover, in Lower Austria it is only an employment contract. When asked why the ÖVP is okay with working with FPÖ-NÖ leader Udo Landbauer, but why the ÖVP rules out cooperation with federal FPÖ party leader Herbert Kickl in the federal government, Sobotka pointed out that Kickl is “not a reliable partner” is. Because he ‘destroyed’ the State Security Service (BVT). At the same time, Sobotka emphasized that one should not “make the mistake of calling all FPÖ members Nazis.”
A short comeback is out of the question
Regarding the state of the coalition with the Greens and the ÖVP’s poor polls, Sobotka said the problem was that the ÖVP was unable to communicate “with the services achieved together with the Greens.” He rates the work of Federal Party Chairman and Chancellor Karl Nehammer as “very, very good.” Sobotka ruled out a comeback by ex-ÖVP boss and ex-chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
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.
