Arson attack on Jewish cemetery in Vienna; swastikas sprayed on external wall

Austria’s main Jewish leader says that a fire was set during the night in the Jewish section of Vienna’s central cemetery and swastikas were sprayed on external walls.

Jewish Community of Vienna President Oskar Deutsch writes on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the fire burned the entrance lobby to a ceremonial hall but did not cause any injuries. The fire service and police were investigating, he says.

Fire service spokesperson Gerald Schimpf tells the Austria Press Agency that the fire was during the night and had largely extinguished itself by the time firefighters were alerted shortly after 8 a.m.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer says he condemns “the attack on the Jewish cemetery in the strongest terms.” He writes on X that “ antisemitism has no place in our society” and adds that he hopes the perpetrators will be found quickly.

In der Nacht wurde am jüdischen Teil des Zentralfriedhofs (IV. Tor) ein Brand gelegt. Der Vorraum der Zeremonienhalle ist ausgebrannt. An Außenmauern wurden Hakenkreuze gesprayt. Personen kamen nicht zu Schaden. Feuerwehr und Polizei ermitteln. pic.twitter.com/LLvCrrXIge

— Oskar Deutsch (@DeutschOskar) November 1, 2023