A sharp rise in anti-Semitic attacks in Austria over the past few weeks have sparked concerns of a spillover of the Israel-Hamas war in the central European nation.
Days after an arson attack in the Jewish section of Vienna’s central cemetery, thousands of people gathered in the Austian capital in a show of support for the local Jewish community.
On Wednesday night, a fire destroyed the entrance lobby to a ceremonial hall in the cemetery. Swastika symbols were also sprayed on external walls. There were no reported injuries.
“It’s really a despicable act,” said Oskar Deutsch, a community leader in Vienna.
Anti-Semitic acts have multiplied in Austria since the October 7 Hamas attack, according to Benjamin Nagele, secretary-general of the Jewish community in Vienna.
Austrian authorities have raised the country’s terrorism alert level to “high” since October 18 and have increased protection of local Jewish institutions.
Please click on the video player above to watch the report.
