Austrian chancellor: EU must contribute more to Mideast peace

In meeting with Netanyahu, Christian Kern says Israel is a role model and he looks forward to increased cooperation

Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern said on Tuesday that the European Union should be doing more to advance peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

At a joint press conference in Jerusalem with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Kern said that the EU could use its leverage to help the two sides reach a deal.

“Definitely the union is punching below its weight here in the region because we are one of the biggest donators in Palestine,” he said, speaking in English. “Seventy percent of the exports of the region go to Europe, and I think it makes a lot of sense to contribute more to a peaceful and prosper[ous] development.”

The chancellor said that the entire world sees Israel as a role model and that Austria wants to increase ties between the two countries.

“You call yourself a startup nation and it’s definitely not exaggerated. The whole world is looking at you as a role model, so I’m looking very much forward to increasing our cooperation and bringing it to new levels,” he said.

Kern, who attended a Holocaust Remembrance Day event on Monday, praised the achievements of Israel, telling the prime minister that he saw a “direct line” between the Holocaust and the tech powerhouse that Israel has become.

“What was also very impressive was when I was visiting Yad Vashem and listening to the ceremony,” he said. “You get a better understanding of why you are such a strong economic nation as well, because I think there is a direct line — that at least it’s my interpretation — between what happened in the Holocaust and your strength today.”

Netanyahu spoke of the symbolism of an Austrian chancellor attending Holocaust Remembrance Day in Israel, and praised Kern’s country for its “consistent position against Holocaust denial, against anti-Semitism.”

He also praised Kern personally for continuing in the spirit of his mother’s actions during the Holocaust.

“Your mother helped bring food to Jews hiding in Vienna,” the prime minister said, “and you honor her legacy.”

Netanyahu also told the chancellor that Israel and Austria would work together toward peace.

“We can achieve more together than separately, and there’s a lot to achieve to promise a future of prosperity and security and peace for our peoples,” he said.