ISRAEL: NEW AUSTRIAN GOVERNMENT/ HAIDER LATEST (2)

Описание: (6 Feb 2000) English/Nat

Israel is urging the world to take action against Austria, saying its new government incorporates elements of a neo-Nazi nature.

The Israeli cabinet held its weekly meeting on Sunday and used the occasion to issue a strongly-worded statement attacking Austria over the inclusion of the far-right Freedom Party in the new coalition.

The Freedom Party has joined up with the centre-right Austrian People's Party following inconclusive elections in October.

Since then there has been increasing criticism from European countries and the United States, due to leader Joerg Haider's opposition to E-U expansion and remarks sympathetic to the Nazi regime.

Haider won international notoriety a decade ago after praising Hitler's "orderly employment policy," and later for lauding veterans of the Waffen SS as "decent people of good character."

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The government of Israel expresses its deep concern in view of the establishment of a new government in Austria which includes members of the extreme right-wing party headed by Jorge Haider. The government of Israel sees its duty and role in facing the nations of the world and warning against the severe phenomenon that a western European government incorporates elements of a Neo-Nazi nature. This is the historic lesson from the Holocaust, that teaches us that such occurrences cannot be accepted under any justification and one cannot accept quietly spoken words that mask an ideology of hatred and racism. They must be stopped and uprooted."
SUPER CAPTION: Itzak Herzog, Government Spokesman

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We believe that it's very important to do everything to (inaudible) them. That's why I, as the Minister of the Interior, gave instructions to my officers to prevent Mr Haider from entering the state of Israel. Of course he didn't ask yet but it's very important to know that he's not desired in our country. We hope that other countries will also follow this example."
SUPER CAPTION: Nathan Sharansky, Interior Minister

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It's the right reaction but I would be happier to see Israel react to racism and neo-Nazism in other places in the world as well and I would like to see Israel being aware of the Haiders within itself. We also have racist politicians and we also have neo-fascists in Israel and they are in our political system as well.
SUPER CAPTION: Meir Shalev, Political Commentator and Novelist

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