The President of the Israelite Community (IKG), Oskar Deutsch, reported this on the platform X (formerly Twitter). The anteroom of the ceremonial hall at the fourth gate of the cemetery burned out. “Swastikas were sprayed on exterior walls. No one was harmed.” The fire department confirmed the operation and the police are investigating the cause of the fire. The emergency services were alerted shortly after 8 a.m. on Wednesday, said fire department spokesman Gerald Schimpf. An outbuilding of the domed building, the so-called ceremonial hall, was affected. The spokesman explained that “there must have been a fire there in the late hours.” But the fire largely went out on its own. The fire brigade was still fighting embers and ventilating the smoke-filled rooms.
Significant property damage, but graves can be visited
The building was temporarily closed by the authorities, according to a statement from the IKG. There is significant property damage. However, graves could be visited.
Deutsch called on people to come to the sea of lights at Vienna’s Heldenplatz tomorrow, Thursday at 6 p.m. “Take a stand against anti-Semitism and misanthropy. For an end to the attacks on Israel, Judaism and democracy, for the liberation of all hostages.”
“I strongly condemn the attack on the Jewish cemetery in Vienna,” tweeted Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) on the holiday. “Anti-Semitism has no place in our society and will be fought with all political and constitutional means. I hope the perpetrators will be identified quickly.”
“Another act of completely unacceptable aggression”
Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) was also horrified: “The anti-Semitic arson attack at the central cemetery is another act of completely unacceptable aggression on the security of Jewish life in Austria,” and he condemned the act “in the strongest possible terms.” The investigative authorities are now required to quickly investigate the perpetrators and bring them to justice. “Together we will ward off these disgusting threats against Jewish culture and protect Jewish life in Austria,” assured Kogler.
“The news about the fire in the Jewish part of the central cemetery shocks me deeply,” Vienna’s mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) also wrote on Platform To protect lives and Jewish institutions.”
“It’s really frightening! Anti-Semitism has no place in our society, no matter which direction it comes from,” emphasized Sabine Schatz, SPÖ spokeswoman for the culture of remembrance. “We stand together against such anti-Semitic attacks and attacks,” emphasized NEOS boss Beate Meinl-Reisinger. “Never again is now.”
