Israel's Diaspora Minister Meets Austrian Far-Right Leaders in Vienna
The visit marks the first direct contact between a senior Israeli official and the Freedom Party, which was founded by former Nazis, signaling a potential end to a long-standing diplomatic boycott.
By Zoe Harrison ·
Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli traveled to Austria this week to meet with senior officials from the Freedom Party, or FPÖ. The visit marks the first time an Israeli minister has held talks with high-ranking members of the party, which was established in 1956 by former Nazi officials.
The meeting took place on the eve of the Kristallnacht anniversary. Chikli arrived with Likud MK Ariel Kallner and was hosted by Harald Vilimsky, an FPÖ politician and Member of the European Parliament. In Vienna, Chikli spoke with Walter Rosenkranz, the President of the National Council, and Mario Kunasek, the Governor of Styria and former Defense Minister. Both men are members of the FPÖ.
The trip concluded with a memorial ceremony at a synagogue in Graz. Chikli addressed the congregation and local community leaders, including chairman Elie Rosen. During his speech, he criticized the attitude toward living Jews in Europe. He stated, “In Europe today there is great respect for dead Jews. As for living Jews, in large parts of the continent the attitude has not changed.”
Chikli specifically mentioned import sanctions in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Britain. He described these measures as part of a combined assault by “Palestinian Islamo-Nazism and the progressive left.” He argued that conservative parties in Europe are the last chance to stop a slide toward a “progressive post-national mishmash” that he said would bring ruin to European civilization.
The meeting follows a speech by FPÖ chairman Herbert Kickl in September. Kickl announced that his party would adopt the full IHRA definition of antisemitism. He also described the events of October 7 as a crime against humanity and pledged to move Austria’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar praised Kickl’s remarks, calling them an opportunity for open dialogue.
Israel has officially boycotted the FPÖ since 2000, when the party entered the Austrian government. At that time, Israel recalled its ambassador and downgraded diplomatic relations. This boycott persisted even when the party returned to power in 2017, despite a general restoration of relations with Austria in 2003. The FPÖ won approximately 29% of the vote in the September 2024 parliamentary election, its best result in history.
Chikli has faced criticism for his close ties to far-right European politicians. Last year, he invited leaders from France’s National Rally and Spain’s Vox party to a conference in Jerusalem. Jordan Bardella, head of the National Rally, met with Chikli in Washington in 2025. The National Rally was co-founded by a former member of the Nazi Waffen-SS.
Vilimsky expressed gratitude for the visit, calling Chikli “Dear Minister” and saying it was an honor to host him. Chkli described the relationship with the FPÖ as a “historic turning point” and thanked the party for emphasizing the Jewish connection to Judea, Samaria, and Jerusalem. The visit suggests the longstanding Israeli boycott of the Austrian right may soon end, although no official policy change has been announced.
