Austrian Jews are seriously worried over the results of Sunday’s parliamentary election, which will mean representation for 16 neo-Nazis in the House of Deputies, Ernest Stiassny, World Jewish Congress representative, told press representatives here. His views were substantiated by Emil Maurer, acting president of the Vienna Jewish Community.
Not only the rightist, neo-Nazi League of Independent Voters, but also all the parties courting the votes of the amnestied ex-Nazis promised early amendments to anti-Nazi laws and to the restitution laws to prevent the restoration of Jewish property.
Mr. Maurer declared that the situation of Jews in this country has deteriorated since the election. He voiced fears that the Third Restitution Law might be cancelled, if the Socialist members of the coalition (with the Peoples party) were unable to prevent the enactment of amendments already announced by the Catholics. Mr. Maurer complained that Austrian judges hinder restitution of “aryanized” property. He said there is danger that the Austrian Jews will be robbed a second time.
“World Jewry must consider the new Austrian developments,” Mr. Stiassny said. “They must energetically urge the earliest possible establishment of a restitution fund and the passage of laws providing for the return to original holders of ‘aryanized’ property.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
