Authorities in Austria have created a significant chilling effect on freedom of expression by restricting people who express solidarity with Palestinians during the ongoing conflict in Gaza Strip, according to a new report released by Amnesty International.
The report, titled Freedom of expression is highly selective: Austria limits expressions of solidarity with Palestinians, examines how government responses, accusations of antisemitism and broader social pressures have affected activists, civil society organizations, academics and journalists who speak out about Palestinian rights. Based on 19 interviews, the study highlights concerns that criticism of the Israeli government is increasingly being equated with antisemitism, which Amnesty International says risks undermining both free expression and efforts to address genuine antisemitism.
Shoura Hashemi, Executive Director of Amnesty International Austria, said the climate has made many people reluctant to publicly express support for Palestinians or criticize actions by Israel. She warned that in Austria, as in other parts of Europe, antisemitism may be increasingly politicized or instrumentalized, which could shrink space for civil society and open debate.
The report notes that individuals and organizations who criticize alleged violations of international law by Israel risk being labelled antisemitic, creating fear of reputational damage, legal consequences or loss of funding. Amnesty International also highlighted that racist incidents, including anti-Palestinian racism, have reportedly increased in the country since October 2023. According to civil society organizations and government sources cited in the report, Austria still lacks a national action plan to combat racism, including anti-Muslim racism, despite recommendations from UN experts.
Amnesty International also raised concerns about restrictions on protests related to the conflict. Since the escalation of violence in Gaza, several demonstrations in Vienna were reportedly prohibited by authorities due to concerns that protesters might use the chant “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” The chant is subject to a non-public decree by the Austrian Ministry of Justice, which states that its use may raise suspicion of supporting terrorist offences. Amnesty International argued that such restrictions should meet strict legal criteria under international human rights law, including being clearly defined in publicly accessible legislation and demonstrating a high threshold for incitement to violence or discrimination.
The report also points to political resolutions adopted by the Austrian National Council and city councils in Vienna and Graz that oppose the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS), with some describing the movement as antisemitic. Although these resolutions are not legally binding, Amnesty International says they influence public policy and may discourage activists or organizations from expressing support for BDS due to fears of legal action, public backlash or the loss of state funding.
Another key concern raised in the report is the use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition of Antisemitism (IHRA WDA) in government policies. Amnesty International and several academics and UN experts argue that the definition can conflate legitimate criticism of Israeli government policies with antisemitism, potentially restricting lawful political expression. While the definition is not legally binding in Austria, it is widely referenced in official documents and has a strong influence on public policy and debate.
Several interviewees, including Jewish activists, told Amnesty International that Austria’s adoption of the IHRA definition contributes to limiting expressions of solidarity with Palestinians. According to Hashemi, efforts to combat antisemitism must remain consistent with international human rights standards to avoid replacing discrimination against one group with discrimination against another.
The report concludes that space for civil society, academic discussion and public advocacy on Palestinian issues has narrowed. Some organizations told Amnesty International they fear losing government funding or facing political pressure if they speak out about alleged human rights violations committed by Israeli authorities.
Amnesty International called on Austrian authorities to adopt a national action plan against racism, review policies linked to the IHRA definition and ensure that any restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly comply with international human rights law. It also urged the government to repeal the decree related to the chant and respect the right to advocate for political campaigns such as BDS as forms of legitimate expression.
