[POLITICO]
“Iran’s foreign minister canceled his visit to Austria at the last minute after the Austrian government flew Israeli flags on the roofs of the chancellery and foreign ministry on Friday.”
“Austria had decided to display the flags to show solidarity with Israel as Palestinian militants fired rockets into the country from the Gaza Strip. Tensions in the region continued to escalate on Saturday, with Israeli forces bombarding targets in Gaza, militants launching more rockets in retaliation and inter-communal unrest flaring up within Israel.”
“Vienna on Friday also officially recognized the Lebanon-based Hezbollah as a terrorist group in its entirety after having previously only labeled its military wing as such. Iran supports both Hamas, which controls Gaza and is classified as a terror organization in the EU and the U.S., and Hezbollah.”
“Under Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Austria has shifted toward a pro-Israel stance after decades of placing stronger emphasis on the rights of Palestinians. In 2018, during a speech to the American Jewish Committee’s Global Forum in Jerusalem, Kurz declared that Israel’s security was “in the national interest” of Austria.”
“The clear support for Israel in this conflict, experts say, risks clashing with one of the pillars of Austrian foreign policy: its role as a host to international organizations and negotiations, such as the Iran nuclear deal. Vienna is home to more than 40 international organizations, among them the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the International Atomic Energy Agency.”
“Gerhard Mangott, professor in international relations at the University of Innsbruck, concurred. “The display of the Israeli flag is incompatible with Austria’s role as host to international organizations and negotiations, such as the current talks to revive the [nuclear deal],” he said. “I think this was a show of political support by Sebastian Kurz for Benjamin Netanyahu, and an attempt to demonstrate the strong connection between the two political leaders.””
Read more: Iran’s foreign minister cancels Austria visit over Israeli flag display
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2021-week22
