Austria's Kurtz to Netanyahu: I'm committed to fighting antisemitism
The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for a series of decisions and actions that the Austrian government has adopted in recent months.
By SARA RUBENSTEINUpdated: SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 06:32
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurtz in New York on Wednesday evening. The conversation took place at a reception hosted by Ronald Lauder, the President of the World Jewish Congress, in his own gallery building displaying a collection of works by Austrian painters Egonenshilla and Gustav Klimt.Netanyahu expressed appreciation for a series of decisions and actions that the Austrian government has adopted in recent months.The chancellor briefed Netanyahu on the steps taken by the Austrian government and parliament to reflect their appreciation of the Jewish community, the memory of the Holocaust and the struggle against antisemitism, including the closure of the journal Aula associated with the far-right Freedom Party of Austria.The chancellor said that Austria is committed to fighting antisemitism not only in its own country but throughout Europe, and that he intends to urge the leaders of the European Union to fight antisemitism, as reported by The Jerusalem Post's sister publication Maariv.Austria is currently the rotating president of the European Union. The chancellor noted that he will soon convene a special European conference in Vienna to combat old fashioned antisemitism - classic Christian antisemitism - and the current and future antisemitism- hinting to Islamism.The two leaders also discussed regional challenges and the need to curb Iranian aggression in the region and in the world..