Der Standard, November 9, 2020
German Original: https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000121548571/van-der-bellen-botschaft-zu-novemberpogrom-niemals-vergessen
The Federal President attended an Israeli memorial event virtually. He emphasizes Austria’s shared responsibility for the crimes committed against Jews during the NS era.
On Monday, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier participated in a virtual memorial event at the Holocaust Memorial Yad Vashem at the invitation of the Israeli Head of State Reuven Rivlin. The November Pogroms 82 years ago were commemorated. In a pre-recorded video message, Van der Bellen underlinedAustria’s shared responsibility for the Shoah and the importance of remembrance.
From Discrimination to Mass Murder
Anti-Semitism did not start with national socialism, it had been present in Austria before Nazi ideology. Discrimination turned into disparagement, to deprivation of rights, and finally developed into mass murder, the Shoah. The pogrom of the night of November 9, 1938 was the first gruesome climax of growing national socialist violence against Jews, said Van der Bellen. The Nazis’ racist violence against Jews had reached a new, terrible intensity and showed how substantially Austrian Jews had been deprived of their rights and their freedom. “In Vienna alone, 42 synagogues were burned down or destroyed. Thousands of shops and apartments were looted. More than 6,500 Jewish Austrians were arrested, 4,000 of them were sent to the Dachau Concentration Camp.”
Austria’s Shared Responsibility
We Austrians remember these crimes today with remorse and shame. Those of us born after the Shoa profess: Austria shares responsibility for the Shoah. Many Austrians were among the perpetrators. The acceptance of our responsibility means above all that we counter any form of racism, discrimination, and anti-Semitism resolutely and courageously.” This is matter of great importance to him, the Federal President emphasized.
”It is our duty, our wish and our aim to not only protect the Jewish Communities, but to also assure that Jewish life is able to prosper again – be it in Europe, in Israel, or any place else.” Austria is home to a strong and lively Jewish Community, that is an important part of Austrian life again. “I sincerely hope that Austria will be a home and a place of peace and security for them – today and forever.”
Gratifying Cooperation
The Federal President expressed “particular joy” over the cooperation between Austria and Israel in many areas of joint interests, because that is not a matter of course in the light of history. Enabled through mutual understanding and rediscovery, both countries would also find new ways of cooperation. The “unwritten history” of Austria and Israel is just at the beginning.
In closing, the Federal President underlined in Hebrew: “Niskor we lo nischkach leolam” – Remember and never forget.
Van der Bellen’s speech was played in English from a pre-recorded videotape. In addition, according to the Office of Federal President, there was also a video message from the three presidents emphasizing the joint remembrance in Vienna, Berlin, and Jerusalem and the efforts against racism, hate, and anti-Semitism.
The official commemorative event was held at the Residence of the Israeli President in Jerusalem in cooperation with Yad Vashem. On the occasion, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau and Avner Shalev, Chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate of The Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority, also spoke. A Holocaust Survivor bore witness. The commemoration was broadcast live starting at 5:00 pm via the Israeli President’s accounts on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, as well as on Yad Vashem’s Facebook page.
Currently in the Hospital
Van der Bellen is currently hospitalized. The 76 year-old fell on Saturday at his second official residence in Mürzsteg in Styria and was brought to Vienna’s General Hospital (AKH) to clarify his condition. This is when a painful pelvic injury was diagnosed. An operation is not necessary; according to his office, the Federal President is otherwise in a good mood.