Austria

Federal Level

27 February 2020, Austrian Parliament motion  “Condemning Antisemitism and the BDS Movement” ^[1]

The Austrian Parliament adopted a motion labelling the BDS movement Antisemitic. The motion was adopted unanimously.

• What is does:

> The motion called on the Austrian Government to strongly condemn the BDS movement and its goals and “not support any events of the BDS movement or groups pursuing its goals, either financially or in any other form”.

• Opposition:

> In January, a coalition of Palestinian civil societies, human rights organizations and labor unions sent a letter to the Austrian Political Parties titled “Oppose resolution to criminalize peaceful activism for Palestinian human rights”

25 April 2017, adoption of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism (explicitly including the additional examples).

Austria adopted the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism per a government decision.

Local Level

14 November 2019, Graz motion “Strongly Opposing all Extremism – Declaration against Antisemitism”

The city of Graz adopted a motion strongly condemning “all forms of Antisemitism and Antizionism” – in particular “Antisemitic and anti-Israeli calls for boycott by the BDS movement (“Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions”)”. It further stated that municipal authorities are not allowed to support events organised by groups promoting the boycotting campaign against Israel.

In the same motion, the City Council adopted the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism.

27 June 2018, Vienna motion rejecting BDS

The city of Vienna adopted a motion rejecting the BDS campaign, and labelling it Antisemitic. It further stated that the BDS movement and related groups, would not be allowed to use public spaces. The motion was adopted unanimously.

Civil Society and Parties

9 March 2016, Student Council of the University of Vienna statement “Against any Form of Antisemitism”

The Student Council of the University of Vienna made a statement condemning the BDS movement, particularly the academic boycott, and labelling it antisemitic.