Daniel Aschheim, a diplomat from Israel, wrote a remarkable book about the Austrian Chancellor with Jewish roots.
“In the 1970s he was the most popular politician in Austria and the most hated politician in Israel,” says Daniel Aschheim in an interview with the “Krone”. We are talking about Bruno Kreisky, to whom the young Israeli diplomat has dedicated his highly differentiated doctorate thesis, which has now been published as a book under the title “Kreisky, Israel and the Jews”.
The author calls a hunter for peace to the long -term Austrian Chancellor, who was firmly convinced that there could be no peace in the middle -won without a state for Israel and one for Palestine. An attitude for which Kreisky got skepticism and hatred – but also admiration.
In his book, which does not see himself as a biography, Aschheim describes the complex and often contradictory identity of Kreiskys as an Austrian Jew and politician. This is how Kreisky reacted allergically when Israeli politicians remembered him that he was Jewish. This didn’t matter for Kreisky, but he saw himself as a descendant of Austria-Hungary.
“As much as I try, I don’t see why the land of my real ancestors should be less nice to me than a desert strip that I have nothing to do with.” So he was absolutely not a Zionist, rather he described the basis of Israel as an “experiment” that he “did not dedicate himself personally”. Of course many in Israel hate him.
At the same time, as Aschheim says, Kreisky stood close to the heart of the well -being of Israel and regularly supported his brother who had emigrated to Jeruzalen, who had never gained a foothold financially and told friends proudly that his Nephew serves in the Israeli army.
Moreover, Kreisky was the only politician when Jews made from the Soviet Union possible to emigrate to Israel – via a specially set up refugee camp in Bad Schönau. As a result, this leads to Palestinian terrorists in Jewish migrants from Marchegg and an Austrian security officer as hostages.
Kreisky gave up the requirements of the murderers, closed the camp in Bad Schönau and thus saved the life of the hostages. In Israel, however, he was enormously criticized for this “kink” for fear. In Kreiskys Villa there was an open dispute with the then head of the Golda Meir government, who then accused him of not even offering a glass of water.
The emigration of Soviet Jews via Austria to Israel remained unhindered. Kreisky opened a new transit camp …
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.
