Sea of ​​Lights in Vienna: 20,000 require freedom for hostages and peace!

Sea of ​​Lights in Vienna: 20,000 require freedom for hostages and peace!

Wien, Österreich - On November 2, 2023, more than 20,000 people gathered at Vienna's Heldenplatz to demonstrate at the sea of ​​lights for the release of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas. The event was not only a gesture of solidarity, but also a powerful statement against anti -Semitism, terror, violence and hatred. According to a report by vienna.at , 220 empty chairs were counted for the kidnapped, while their pictures were projected onto the magnificent walls of the Hofburg.

Daniel Landau, co -organizer of the event, expressed that the concerns about possible interference actions were unfounded. The police did not report with official number of participants, but said that there were no events during the major event. This is a sign of the determination of the participants to join for an important concern.

anti -Semitism in focus

In the demonstration, several prominent voices also took the floor. Oskar Deutsch, the President of the Israelite cultural community of Vienna, moved parallels between the attacks of Hamas on October 7 and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, which caused horror worldwide. He emphasized that more than 600 of the 8,000 missiles of Hamas had struck in Gaza. This not only illustrates the complexity of the conflict, but also the immediate consequences for the civilian population in the region.

A disturbing increase in anti -Semitic incidents in Austria since the attacks has been worrying. German pointed out that the number rose by at least 400 percent. This is also reflected in the statements of Alon Ishay, the President of the Jewish Austrian University: Inside, contrary to, who reported "pogrom -like conditions" in Vienna. In the past month, over 200 anti -Semitic incidents were registered in the city.

international perspective

This situation is not isolated. Several European cities have had similar experiences. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations after the attacks of Hamas often went hand in hand with anti-Semitic statements and attacks. In some cases, public anniversaries occurred over the attacks, which led to striking protests and a violent atmosphere in cities like Berlin. The discussions about the reconciliation of anti-Semitism in Europe thus achieve a new highlight, as well as the reports of bpb.de

In addition, David Roet, the designated ambassador of Israel in Austria, expressed his criticism of the statements of UN Secretary General António Guterres, the Israel and Hamas. Such comparisons contribute to confusion and split, which is reflected in the current social tensions.

a cohesion for the future

The relatives of the kidnapped reported on their painful experiences during the event and urged to bring the hostage home to the gathered. Her startled stories echoed through the crowd. At the end of the speeches, the call "Bring Them Home Now" torn down - an urgent appeal for peace and justice. These voices are not silent as long as there is a risk of anti -Semitism in society. Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler expressed their support for the event via Twitter.