The situation in Austria is concerning and alarming. This wealthy country has increasingly adopted the discourse of the far right, leading to the cancellation of voices supporting Palestine under the pretext of antifascist solidarity towards Israel.
Our efforts must be directed towards understanding and questioning this established power that silences the oppressed, both in Palestine and in other regions. Austria's colonial and antisemitic history does not seem to be adequately addressed, while liberal elites contribute to perpetuating a system that excludes dissenting voices.
The Syrian-Palestinian artist and researcher Nour Shantout has recently suffered institutional censorship in Austria. Struggling against liberal anti-Palestinian political phobia, her social media posts led to the withdrawal of funding for her research and her expulsion from her doctorate program.
The normalization of far-right discourse in Austria has led to repressive measures, especially against those who challenge the official narrative on Palestine. Security is used as an excuse to stigmatize and exclude those who do not align with dominant opinions.
The cancellation of Palestinian artists in Austria, unlike what happens in Germany, is presented under the pretext of security, ignoring the real threats they face. The country has shown strong support for Israel, even during recent conflicts in the region.
The fusion between cultural elites and the state in Austria reflects a dynamic similar to that of the United States, where there is a commitment to Israel's impunity. The divide between left and right seems to blur in favor of a nostalgic regeneration project that excludes and represses those who challenge the status quo.
