The Jewish Community of Austria and the Organization of Austrian Resistance Fighters severely criticized the government today for failing to enact legislation to provide financing of rehabilitation of victims of Nazism.
Both parties that are members of the government coalition, the People’s Party and the Socialist Party, have pledged publicly and repeatedly that such legislation would be passed. The two organizations pointed out, in separate resolutions that 12 attempts to pass such legislation have, thus far, been defeated in Parliament
In its resolution, the Jewish Community levelled its criticisms specifically at Vice Chancellor Bruno Pitterman, who is a Socialist, and at Finance Minister Reinhard Kamitz. a member of the People’s Party. “Patience has now ended, ” stated the Community resolution, “and the Jews of Austria must find other means to force the leaders of both coalition parties to honor their promises, ” The Resistance Fighters pointed out in their resolution that “after waiting 15 years, we find that Austria still does not compensate the victims of Nazism. “
The Austrian Ministry of Defense issued an order today forbidding the wearing of World War II decorations. The order specifies that the decorations may not be displayed even if they do not contain the swastika symbol.
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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.
