Herbert Kickl, leader of Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), apologized for Austria's role in the Holocaust, condemned the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, and said his party would consider moving Austria's embassy to Jerusalem if it gains power. Israeli ministers, including Gideon Sa'ar and Amichai Chikli, called Kickl's remarks an "important and positive development" and signaled openness to substantive talks. Austria's Jewish community and other observers urged caution, saying the FPÖ must prove its credibility through actions in Vienna. The episode signals a cautious, pragmatic shift in Israel's long-standing distance from the FPÖ.
Potential Rapprochement: Austria’s FPÖ Apologizes for the Holocaust, Pledges Embassy Move to Jerusalem — Israel Signals Openness
Herbert Kickl, leader of the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPOe)(Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) appears to be moving toward a diplomatic thaw with Israel after its leader, Herbert Kickl, apologized for Austria’s role in the Holocaust, strongly condemned the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks and said his party would consider relocating Austria’s embassy to Jerusalem if it came to power.
Key Statements and Responses
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar described Kickl’s remarks as an "important and positive development," saying they open the door to a "substantive, open, and sincere dialogue" to clarify the FPÖ leader’s positions and commitments. Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli framed the move as a "crossing of the Rubicon," calling the Strasbourg meeting a potential historic turning point in relations between Israel and the FPÖ.
"Building trust also requires translating commitments into actions," Sa'ar said. "Kickl's statements make possible a substantive, open, and sincere dialogue."
What Kickl Said
Speaking at a European Parliament conference in Strasbourg, Kickl said Austria and the FPÖ must confront their past, pledged to fight antisemitism, affirmed Israel's right to exist and defend itself, and backed the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism. He described Oct. 7 as "the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust" and rejected framing it as resistance.
On territorial and diplomatic matters, Kickl recognized what he described as the Jewish people's historic connection to Judea and Samaria and said moving Austria’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem would be of "great importance" if he became chancellor.
Context And Caution
The statements represent a notable shift in Israeli posture toward the FPÖ, a party founded in 1956 whose first leader, Anton Reinthaller, was a former SS officer and Nazi government minister. For decades Israel kept the FPÖ at arm’s length because of that history and the party’s reputation.
Austria's Jewish community urged caution. Benjamin Nägele, secretary-general of Vienna's Jewish community, said the FPÖ’s credibility must be judged by its "behavior and decisions in Vienna," not by statements at an international conference. Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen has previously encouraged Israel to re-examine its no-contact policy toward FPÖ-linked officials, even as he has clashed politically with Kickl.
Implications
The latest Israeli responses suggest a pragmatic, cautious engagement may replace decades of diplomatic distance — provided the FPÖ follows words with concrete actions at home. Observers will watch how Kickl and his party act in Austrian politics and whether any future government decisions reflect the positions he outlined in Strasbourg.
Source: Based on reporting © 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
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