The arson attack on the Jewish part of Vienna’s Central Cemetery on Wednesday night continues to cause great horror. It now seems clear from investigators: The fire was started intentionally – two sources of fire were found.
The fire broke out in two places, the “Krone” was told. The police now suspect arson. In addition, swastikas were sprayed on the outer walls.Anteroom of the ceremonial hallThe President of the Israelite Community (IKG), Oskar Deutsch, reported on Platform The alarm was raised shortly after 8 a.m. on Wednesday, said fire department spokesman Gerald Schimpf. The spokesman explained that “there may have been a fire there during the night.” However, the flames largely went out on their own. The fire brigade was still fighting embers and ventilating the smoke-filled rooms.Terror warning level raisedAfter the attack on Israel by the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas, the terror warning level in Austria was raised and the protection of Jewish institutions was actually increased. The guarding of the city temple in the city center was only extended to 24 hours a good ten days ago after the police had to listen to criticism because the Israeli flag was torn from the synagogue. After the fire in the Jewish part of the central cemetery, the police said now on Wednesday again that the “focus is on the protection of Jews living in Austria” “in close coordination with the Jewish Community”. “The focus is therefore on protecting people.”Several advertisements for HalloweenThe Office for the Protection of the Constitution is “taking consistent action against all those who threaten Jewish life and thus coexistence in Austria,” assured Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) in a written statement. Last Halloween night, hundreds of additional police officers were on duty throughout Austria, the broadcast said. The police consistently intervened where it was necessary. In the early evening at Vienna’s Stephansplatz, as part of an unregistered meeting, “numerous people were stopped after chanting anti-Semitic slogans and reported to the public prosecutor’s office.” Buildings affected by the fire are temporarily closed by the authorities. There is significant property damage. However, graves could be visited. Deutsch called via X to come to the sea of lights at Vienna’s Heldenplatz on Thursday at 6 p.m. “Take a stand against anti-Semitism and misanthropy. For an end to the attacks on Israel, Judaism and democracy, for the liberation of all hostages.” “The desecration of Jewish cemeteries is one of the most cowardly and disgusting forms of anti-Semitic violence,” criticized community rabbi Shlomo Hofmeister.
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