The new Austria Interior Minister Gerhard Carner has been reprimanded in anti-Semitism for statements he made more than 13 years ago.
–
–
Content will continue after the ad
Advertising
–
Der Spiegel reports that Carner once accused the Austrian Social Democrats of acting against the country along with American and Israeli gentlemen and called them climate poisoners.
Carner said his remarks were in no way anti-Semitic.
Carner’s appointment as a minister is condemned in an open letter signed by Jewish students, the 2004 Nobel Prize in Literature, and other well-known figures in Austrian society.
“The anti-Semitic dimension of this commentary is obvious,” the letter said.
“We are convinced that this person is completely unsuitable for the post of interior minister, and we call on the government to put our security in the hands of moderate politicians,” the letter said.
Carner said in a statement that the fight against anti-Semitism and extremism of all kinds had been important to him for decades.
The minister announced that he had arranged a personal meeting with Oscar Doich, the main Jewish leader in Austria, who had asked him to explain the 13-year-old’s statements. At the time, Carner was an official in the Austrian People’s Party.
Carner said he regretted that his then suggestion was ambiguous and stressed that these statements had never been made in that way, and that he would not say so now.
He has also earned criticism for the museum in Texingtal, where he has held the position of mayor in recent years. The museum is dedicated to Engelbert Dollfus, an admirer of Italian fascism who became Austrian leader in 1932. Carner has announced that the museum’s concept will be redesigned next year.
–
