Context

We are a group of Jewish anti-Zionists from Austria who oppose the appropriation of Judaism by Zionism. "Never again" must not be an empty promise – it must apply to all people. Every form of racism, colonialism, and disenfranchisement must be opposed, regardless of whom it targets.

The Viennese Jewish Anti-Zionist Declaration was initiated by Ernst Wolrab and Dalia Sarig. Ernst is a descendant of Jewish resistance fighters against fascism, and Dalia comes from a Jewish family that was expelled from Vienna in 1938. Both have been politically active for many years.

Viennese Jewish Anti-Zionist Declaration

We, the undersigned, as individuals from Jewish family backgrounds, descendants of displaced persons and/or Holocaust victims, Holocaust survivors, and resistance fighters against the Nazi regime, all with ties to Austria, oppose Zionism and the actions of the state of Israel in our commitment to universal human rights, equality, and a just peace in the Middle East.

We declare that our values are not represented by the Vienna “Israelitische Kultusgemeinde”, which claims to speak for Jews in Austria and which unconditionally supports Israel.

We oppose the marginalization or suppression of Palestinian and anti-Israel voices within Austrian politics, media, and state institutions and in particular, we call for dissenting Jewish voices to be heard.

We, like other Jews around the globe, condemn Israel’s actions against Palestinians, the genocide Israel is committing in Gaza, the ethnic cleansing, and the colonial seizure of the occupied West Bank. We unequivocally declare: “Not in our name” and “Never again for anyone.”

The anti-Semitic mayor of Vienna, Karl Lueger, once declared: "I decide who is a Jew." Those who aligned with his policies were exempt from being labelled as "Jews" by Lueger, while dissenting voices opposing his policies were, by his definition, the voices "of the Jews."

Even today, our anti-colonial Jewish voices in Austria are silenced and delegitimized according to this principle—albeit reversed as "We decide who is not Jewish." Those who align with Israel are allowed to be considered "Jewish" and to speak as Jews, while those who do not are expected to remain silent as "non-Jews." We recognize this as a form of anti-Semitism and as complicity in spreading anti-Semitism, as it conflates Jewish identity inseparably with the genocide of Palestinians and fuels hatred against Jews.

We unequivocally stand for our right to freedom of speech, to freely express our democratic and anti-colonial views without being labelled by some as “traitors,” “fake Jews,” or “self-hating Jews,” and by others as “terror supporters,” “Israel-haters,” or simply “anti-Semites.”

Our reference point is based on the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism from March 2021, which provides a timely definition of antisemitism that separates legitimate criticism of the state of Israel from hostility or prejudice against Jews. Both the authors and the 359 signatories are highly reputable academics and experts in the field of anti-Semitism research. The Jerusalem Declaration can offer an alternative to the 2016 working definition of antisemitism by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). The IHRA deliberately conflates criticism of Israel with antisemitism, serving as a political tool to suppress criticism of Israel and contributing to false accusations of antisemitism.

We support Palestinian demands for justice, self-determination, and the full realization of all national, political, civil and human rights as enshrined in international law.

We understand Judaism as a religion and a culture with rich traditions. We reject Zionism as a form of ethno-nationalism, racism, and colonialism. We recognize Zionism as a nationalist ideology that does not stand for equality among all citizens. From its inception, Zionism was a settler-colonial project, and it remains so to this day. The state of Israel was born out of the expulsion of native populations and the seizure of their land. Its foundation embodied an expansionist drive to make Israel a nation “from the river to the sea” bringing war and chaos to the entire region (Lebanon, Syria, etc.). We reject both so-called “right-wing Zionism” and “left-wing Zionism,” as both rest on the same principles.

Zionist ideology has led Israel to displace people, steal land, deny access to fields and water, build walls, and commit genocide against the Palestinian people. The extremist government of Israel continues its path of colonizing Palestine and maintaining its apartheid system with the support of the USA and the EU. We stand for a solution that guarantees equal rights to all people in the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, regardless of nationality or religion. In accordance with UN Resolution 194, the right of return applies to displaced persons and their descendants and should be upheld.

We assert that it is not antisemitic to point out and oppose the systematic racial discrimination by the state of Israel, that it is not antisemitic to accuse Israel of settler colonialism, apartheid, ethnic cleansing and genocide and that it is not anti-Semitic to call for boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel as common, non-violent forms of political protest.

We oppose the Austrian Federal Government’s support of Israel and call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the West Bank, an immediate halt to all arms deliveries to Israel, an end to all cooperation that supports Israel’s apartheid policies, especially in the military, security, and surveillance technology sectors, as well as an immediate termination of the EU Association Agreement. Ultimately, Israel must also be held accountable for its crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide.

We, the undersigned, assert that Israel’s existence does not protect Jews; rather, it is the duty of all states worldwide to create a climate in which racism—including antisemitism—has no ground, and all people can live in safety.

Judaism is not Zionism.

We declare that our values are not represented by the Vienna “Israelitische Kultusgemeinde”, which claims to speak for Jews in Austria and which unconditionally supports Israel.

We oppose the marginalization or suppression of Palestinian and anti-Israel voices within Austrian politics, media, and state institutions and in particular, we call for dissenting Jewish voices to be heard.

We, like other Jews around the globe, condemn Israel’s actions against Palestinians, the genocide Israel is committing in Gaza, the ethnic cleansing, and the colonial seizure of the occupied West Bank. We unequivocally declare: “Not in our name” and “Never again for anyone.”

The anti-Semitic mayor of Vienna, Karl Lueger, once declared: "I decide who is a Jew." Those who aligned with his policies were exempt from being labelled as "Jews" by Lueger, while dissenting voices opposing his policies were, by his definition, the voices "of the Jews."

Even today, our anti-colonial Jewish voices in Austria are silenced and delegitimized according to this principle—albeit reversed as "We decide who is not Jewish." Those who align with Israel are allowed to be considered "Jewish" and to speak as Jews, while those who do not are expected to remain silent as "non-Jews." We recognize this as a form of anti-Semitism and as complicity in spreading anti-Semitism, as it conflates Jewish identity inseparably with the genocide of Palestinians and fuels hatred against Jews.

We unequivocally stand for our right to freedom of speech, to freely express our democratic and anti-colonial views without being labelled by some as “traitors,” “fake Jews,” or “self-hating Jews,” and by others as “terror supporters,” “Israel-haters,” or simply “anti-Semites.”

Our reference point is based on the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism from March 2021, which provides a timely definition of antisemitism that separates legitimate criticism of the state of Israel from hostility or prejudice against Jews. Both the authors and the 359 signatories are highly reputable academics and experts in the field of anti-Semitism research. The Jerusalem Declaration can offer an alternative to the 2016 working definition of antisemitism by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). The IHRA deliberately conflates criticism of Israel with antisemitism, serving as a political tool to suppress criticism of Israel and contributing to false accusations of antisemitism.

We support Palestinian demands for justice, self-determination, and the full realization of all national, political, civil and human rights as enshrined in international law.

We understand Judaism as a religion and a culture with rich traditions. We reject Zionism as a form of ethno-nationalism, racism, and colonialism. We recognize Zionism as a nationalist ideology that does not stand for equality among all citizens. From its inception, Zionism was a settler-colonial project, and it remains so to this day. The state of Israel was born out of the expulsion of native populations and the seizure of their land. Its foundation embodied an expansionist drive to make Israel a nation “from the river to the sea” bringing war and chaos to the entire region (Lebanon, Syria, etc.). We reject both so-called “right-wing Zionism” and “left-wing Zionism,” as both rest on the same principles.

Zionist ideology has led Israel to displace people, steal land, deny access to fields and water, build walls, and commit genocide against the Palestinian people. The extremist government of Israel continues its path of colonizing Palestine and maintaining its apartheid system with the support of the USA and the EU. We stand for a solution that guarantees equal rights to all people in the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, regardless of nationality or religion. In accordance with UN Resolution 194, the right of return applies to displaced persons and their descendants and should be upheld.

We assert that it is not antisemitic to point out and oppose the systematic racial discrimination by the state of Israel, that it is not antisemitic to accuse Israel of settler colonialism, apartheid, ethnic cleansing and genocide and that it is not anti-Semitic to call for boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel as common, non-violent forms of political protest.

We oppose the Austrian Federal Government’s support of Israel and call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the West Bank, an immediate halt to all arms deliveries to Israel, an end to all cooperation that supports Israel’s apartheid policies, especially in the military, security, and surveillance technology sectors, as well as an immediate termination of the EU Association Agreement. Ultimately, Israel must also be held accountable for its crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide.

We, the undersigned, assert that Israel’s existence does not protect Jews; rather, it is the duty of all states worldwide to create a climate in which racism—including antisemitism—has no ground, and all people can live in safety.

Judaism is not Zionism.

Endorsers

"Vienna Jewish Anti-zionist declaration":

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1. Dalia Sarig, Palestine activist, lived in Israel, returned to Austria because of structural racism

2. Ernst Wolrab, Antifascist, Palestine activist, communist, descendant of victims of the Nazi regime

3. Andreas Wimmer, Marxist, founder of Voices for Neutrality, son of prominent anti-fascist resistance fighters, lost many family members in the Holocaust

4. Benjamin Fasching-Gray, Judeobolschewiener:innen

5. Monika Vykoukal, Judeobolschewiener:innen

6. Andrew Feinstein, his mother survived hidden in a coal cellar in Vienna Floridsdorf and emigrated to South Africa, former MP of the ANC

7. David Sonnenbaum, environmental and community activist

8. Adam Baltner, author, living in Vienna

9. Ruth Orli Moshkovitz, BDS activist, Judeobolschewiener:innen

10. Elisabeth Dokulil, Dr., descendant of Holocaust survivors

11. Gunnar Bernhard, carer for the disabled, descendant of those persecuted by the Nazi regime

12. Samuel Welber, Member of Women in Black Vienna, emigrated from Israel

13. Davut Mizrahi, Art dealer in Vienna

14. Paul Stern, descendent of Holocaust victims

15. Franziska Markus, Granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor and descendant of family members murdered in Auschwitz concentration camp, member of Austrian Jews for Decolonial Anti-Zionism (OJDA) and Peace Movement West Austria

16. Maya Rinderer, Aktivist with Judeobolschewiener*innen, descendent of Holocaust survivors

17. Mara Zuckerhut, descendent of Holocaust survivors

18. Axel Magnus, unionist

19. Claire Chatel, textile artist

20. Katrine Kloiböck Feuerstein-Levy, Peace Movement Austria West, Austrian Jews for Decolonial Anti-Zionism (OJDA)

21. Eliora Henzler, descendent of Rabbi Rashi (interpreter of the Talmud)

22. Joan Unterweger, Women in Black Vienna, Beacon (NY) Ceasefire Now Coalition

23. Patricia Dicker, textile entrepreneur, daughther of enemies of the Nazi regime

24. Felicitas Schönauer, medical doctor, descendent of Holocaust victims

25. Esther Attar-Machanek, artist

26. Marianne Kohn, descendent of Holocaust survivors, manager Loos-Bar

27. Nir Adin-Unger, in exile

28. Eva Burian, retired psychologist, descendent of Holocaust victims

29. Ellen Lewis, former teacher at the International School, progressive activist, co-founder of the initiative "Not In Our Name" Vienna

30. Hannah Hetzer, Works in the field of drug policy, US/Austrian citizen with Jewish roots, living in New York

31. Rebecca Hetzer, Works in the humanitarian aid sector, US/Austrian citizen with Jewish roots, living in Juba, South Sudan

Further supporters

• Austrian Jews for Decolonial Anti-Zionism (OJDA)

• Vidal Serfaty (Chief rabbi Morocco)

• Abraham Serfaty (Sozialist & Anti-zionist in Morocco)

• Peace Movement Austria West

Support the declaration with your name!