Dear guests!

I am very pleased that I can welcome you in our “modest imperial offices” in the Hofburg here today. 

As Federal President, I have already had several opportunities to welcome groups like yours. Just a few years ago those groups of the Jewish Welcome Service consisted mainly of people who had been themselves expelled from Austria. 

Today, I welcome mainly children or grandchildren of survivors of the Nazi persecution in the framework of this program, which was initiated by Leon Zelman over 40 years ago.

Ladies & Gentlemen,

your visit comes at a very difficult time. Many people follow with deep concern the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. 

Some of you had to cancel their already planned visit after the devastating massacre on October 7, 2023. I am particularly pleased that you have now been able to accept the invitation of the Jewish Welcome Service and come to Vienna.

You have all travelled here from far or somewhat closer countries. Some with their descendants or siblings. In their letters to Ms. Trauneck, some of you have also mentioned a few details about your family history. Each of these stories has its own tragedy. Almost all of you had ancestors who were murdered, all of them were expelled from Austria or survived the persecution in great agony. Israel was a place of refuge for many of your ancestors, to which they fled during the Nazi dictatorship, during the war, some only after the war or even after the founding of the State of Israel in 1948.

I know how important the state of Israel is for most Jews around the world. It is much more than just one state among many. 

It is a safe haven, that hopefully will never be needed. It is a country that gives Jews self-confidence. A country that makes it easier after many years of persecution, to consciously live as Jews and to hold your heads high in this world. 

For some, it is home, for some it is one homeland among others, for some it is a country to which you have family connections.

Ladies and gentlemen,

a year and a half ago, on October 7th, 2023, Hamas carried out a brutal attack on Israel, on peaceful citizens. I know that for many people, this October 7th is not yet over. 

And I understand that. It can't be over yet, as long as hostages are still keptby Hamas under inhumane conditions as human bargaining chips.

The Austrian-Israeli dual citizen Tal Shoham was a prisoner of Hamas for over 500 days, before he was released on February 22 of this year, which I am very relieved about. 

But that is not enough: ALL hostages must be released immediately!

When Jews are hunted down again, persecuted and murdered, Austria and the world must not remain silent. 

We must not remain silent about anti-Semitism.

NEVER AGAIN is today!

At the same time, I deeply regret the failure of the ceasefire in Gaza  and the deaths of civilians, including many children, in the resumed Israeli air strikes. The ceasefire agreement was a long-awaited silver lining of hope for both: for the innocent civilian population in Gaza and for the families of the remaining hostages. 

That this silver lining is disappearing again is unbearable.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Your visit to Austria is very important to me.

 It is a sign that Austria will not forget its darkest chapter in history and has drawn lessons and consequences from it.

Broad sections of society and official Austria have taken many years to understand and also to recognize what has been done to your ancestors and many thousands of other Jews during the Nazi regime. 

I am also aware that anti-Semitism was already widespread and commonplace in Austria before the Nazis came to power. Many Jewish families, as you know, were targeted even before 1938. After the liberation of Austria and the restoration of the Republic,for a long time, many Austrians including politicians suppressed and concealeda large part of the unpleasant truths.

Austria's attitude towards its own history did not change until the 1980s. 

Younger generations took a more impartial, critical look at Austria's past and posed uncomfortable questions to their parents and grandparents. A new awareness emerged in societyand at the beginning of the 90s, official Austria also publicly and unequivocally discussed this inglorious epoch of our history. 

It took a long time for the Republic of Austria to take responsibility for the people who had been expelled from the country.

As early as 1980, Leon Zelman and the municipality of Vienna founded the Jewish Welcome Service. Several thousand Jews who had been expelled from Austria 

and many of their descendants were invited to Austria. In 1994, the Jewish Community and the municipality of Vienna founded the ESRA psychosocial centre, which not only cares for and treats survivors of National Socialism in Austria,but also supports people who have been expelled from Austria, especially in asserting their claims in Austria.

In 1995, the National Fund of the Republic of Austria was established to support survivors of National Socialism in difficult life situations as well as memorial and educational projects in the fight against anti-Semitism.

In several amendments to the citizenship law, easier access to Austrian citizenship for descendants of people who had been persecuted by the Nazis was introduced. This also strengthens and deepens the relationship between the families of former Austrian Jewish families and today's Austria. 

I am delighted that many of you have already been granted Austrian citizenship, others are planning to apply for it. I firmly believe that the abovementioned organizations and initiatives in Austria are not only valuable for you, who are invited to Austria, or for your family members who receive help and support. 

They are of great importance for all of us who live here for the whole of Austria today. 

It is important for us that the Republic of Austria, that Austrian society not only recognizes and acknowledges the suffering of your families, but that we also take responsibility and act accordingly.

I want to underline my deep conviction that you are part of Austria. 

Whether you are in Austria for the first time, are a regular visitor, or whether you have Austrian citizenship. Even if you now live geographically far away, you belong to this country.

I hope you all enjoy your stay in Vienna! Thank you for visiting me. 

Thank you for visiting Austria.