Austria Freedom Party

Austrian lower house passes headscarf ban for under-14s in schools

Austria's lower house of parliament passed the ban despite uncertainty over whether such legislation is unconstitutional, as a previous ban was ruled unconstitutional five years ago.

High school students studying classes at school
 February 1 marks World Hijab Day. (Illustrative).

Austrian government presses ahead with planned headscarf ban in schools

 Austrian Chancellor and head of People's Party (OeVP) Karl Nehammer speaks with journalists after coalition talks in Vienna, Austria, December 20, 2024.

SPÖ joining coalition might be only way to stop rise of far-right in Austria - analysis

 Austrian far Right Freedom Party (FPÖ) leader Herbert Kickl leaves the presidential office at Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria, February 12, 2025.

Austria's far-right fails to build a coalition, talks collapse


Candidly speaking: Discretion in dealing with Europe’s populist parties

Israel has no allies in the EU, which is now notorious for its shameless bias and double standards against the Jewish state.

Heinz-Christian Strache, leader du FPÖ, lors du dernier meeting électoral le 13 octobre

Austrian Chancellor will fight antisemitism due to Israeli concern

The anti-Islam Freedom Party (FPO) was founded by former Nazis in the 1950s but has said it has left its antisemitic past behind.

Top candidate of the People's Party (OeVP) Sebastian Kurz attends his party's victory celebration meeting in Vienna, Austria, October 15, 2017.

Ties with Austria

Israel also has a moral responsibility to take a stand against xenophobia even when not directed against Jews.

Heinz-Christian Strache, the head of the far-right Freedom Party, celebrates in Vienna with his wife, Phillipa Beck, after Austria's general election

For now, Israel won’t deal with far-right Austrian Freedom Party ministers

Israel is believed to be waiting to see how other like-minded countries deal with the new government before taking a formal stand.

Head of the Freedom Party (FPOe) Heinz-Christian Strache (L) and head of the People's Party (OeVP) Sebastian Kurz shake hands at the end of a news conference in Vienna, Austria, December 15, 2017.

Jewish groups ‘deeply concerned' by Nazi roots of party in Austrian gov't

“The FPÖ is a far-right party whose members have in the past expressed xenophobic and antisemitic sentiments."

Protesters hold banners showing portraits of new Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of the People's Party (OeVP) and Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache of the Freedom party (FPOe)

Israel weighs how to deal with Austrian party founded by ex-Nazis

Israel’s formal policy has been to avoid contact with those parties and not to engage with them or their members at a diplomatic level.

Heinz-Christian Strache, the head of the far-right Freedom Party, celebrates in Vienna with his wife, Phillipa Beck, after Austria's general election

Austria's far-right Freedom Party strikes deal to enter government

In October, the head of Austria's Jewish community issued a warning against working with the far-right Freedom Party.

Head of the Freedom Party (FPOe) Heinz-Christian Strache (L) and head of the People's Party (OeVP) Sebastian Kurz shake hands at the end of a news conference in Vienna, Austria, December 15, 2017.

Austrian Jews tell centrists: don't work with far right Freedom Party

The leader of the far-right party has called antisemitism a crime and claimed it has no place in the modern political party.

Supporters wait for Head of Austrian far-right Freedom Party (FPO) Heinz-Christian Strache during an election campaign rally in Vienna, Austria

Austrian Jews to Israel: Respect our stand on far-right Freedom Party

Local Jewish leaders look on nervously, urge Kurz to keep Freedom Party out of coalition.

Norbert Hofer (L) and Austrian Freedom Party (FPOe) top candidate Heinz-Christian Strache attend their party's final election campaign rally in Vienna, Austria, October 13, 2017.

Refugees in Austria view new far-right leaders as existential threat

One refugee, a writer from Syria, explains his worries about the incoming Austrian government.

Head of Austrian Freedom Party (FPO) Heinz-Christian Strache addresses a news conference in Vienna, Austria, April 25, 2017.