Slogan
Journalist and Historian
The activists want to use the heightened public interest during the election campaign to address the US-Israeli aggression on Gaza, the ongoing genocide, and the increasing threats against Lebanon.
Since October 7, the Austrian authorities have been cracking down on the Palestine solidarity movement in the country. In their repertoire of repressive measures is the criminalisation of the slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and the term “Intifada”. Mobilisations were prohibited, and manifestations were stopped for using either of these. Several activists received fines, and some were even arrested. Dieter Reinisch reports from Vienna.
Even eight months after the start of the Israeli attack on Gaza, the repression against the Palestine solidarity movement with Palestine by the Austrian state and police is unceasing.
Some believe that the peace movement would only grow stronger, particularly in the Global South, and a lot has also happened in the North since the war against Gaza.
In Austria’s capital, Vienna, the anti-racist association Dar-al-Janub is under attack from the pro-"Israel" media, political parties, and the state. It is only the latest case of threats and repression against pro-Palestinian voices in Europe.
Their support for the bombing of civilians and the genocidal politics of "Israel" in Gaza has thrown some European Social democrats into trouble. Their almost uncritical support for "Israel’s" war crimes could have dire consequences in the next elections.
Known for its xenophobic, anti-Muslim, and racist rhetoric, the far-right, populist Freedom Party raised eyebrows throughout Austria and abroad when a high-profile delegation visited Kabul. Well-known party members had traveled to meet representatives of the Taliban. Just what was behind this unusual trip from Vienna to Kabul?
The rally in Vienna, defying a significant police presence, was a strong and lively expression of the Palestinian solidarity movement.
