Austria recorded 671 antisemitic incidents in first half of 2026, majority tied to anti-Israel acts

In the first half of 2026, Austria recorded 671 antisemitic incidents, marking a slight reduction from the 726 incidents reported in the same period a year earlier and the 808 recorded six months ago. Despite the decline, the total figure remains more than double the 311 cases logged prior to the October 7 massacre. On average, 3.7 antisemitic incidents occurred daily during this six-month period, compared to 4.2 incidents per day throughout 2025.

The Reporting Centre for Antisemitism of the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG) highlighted that antisemitism in Austria is heavily influenced by Middle Eastern geopolitical events. Israel-related incidents constituted 75.4% of all registered cases, often co-occurring with other forms of prejudice, such as antisemitic othering, Holocaust relativization, and conspiracy theories.

IKG President Oskar Deutsch stated, "Since October 7, 2023, not only the boundaries of what can be said, but also of what can be done, have shifted. Antisemitic words are followed by threats and attacks against Jews. A state of emergency has become the norm." The conflict between Israel and Iran in February 2026 acted as a catalyst, leading to a sharp rise in incidents immediately following the outbreak, with 79 cases recorded in the two weeks after the war began, nearly double the 40 cases reported two weeks prior.

Throughout the six-month reporting period, severe misconduct increased, with physical assaults rising from 5 to 12. Despite a decrease in lower-level incidents like offensive behavior and property damage, the overall trend showed increased severity in misconduct. Recorded threats also rose from 8 to 18, with more than half originating from a Muslim background.

Property damage incidents totaled 68, with right-wing backgrounds most frequently involved (28 cases). Mass mailings accounted for 226 incidents, with the largest share (41.6%) attributed to a Muslim background. Abusive behavior reached 347 incidents, with ideological categorization showing 191 cases motivated by Muslim ideology, 162 by left-wing ideology, 147 by right-wing ideology, and 171 as unattributable.

Out of all 671 incidents, 33 were tied to demonstrations, and 14 occurred within educational settings. Calls for or glorification of terror were identified 70 times, comprising 10.4% of all registered incidents, predominantly Muslim or left-wing in background. The data was collected through various mediums, including 376 cases on social media, 175 witnessed in person, 71 via email, 33 through other online channels, and 16 in letters and alternative formats.