Jonathan Arkush reacts to Austrian election result

Board of Deputies President Jonathan Arkush has reacted to the victory in the Austrian elections of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP)  under the leadership of Sebastian Kurz.

He  said: “While extending congratulations to Sebastian Kurz, who has a good record of engaging with the Jewish community, we are deeply concerned at the success of the far right Freedom Party (FPÖ). We consider this party – like the Front National in France or the AfD in Germany – to be beyond the pale of acceptability. The Freedom Party has failed to take a straightforward and unambiguous approach to Austria’s difficult history in World War Two, preys on vulnerable minorities and touts a programme based on hatred. We stand with the Austrian Jewish community, international Jewish organisations and all right minded people in calling on Mr Kurz to be mindful of Austria’s history and reject sharing power with a party which has such reprehensible politics.”