National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism: Holocaust Survivors from Austria to Receive Additional Benefits

National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism, Vienna Austria

includes the Presidents of the National Council, Members of the Federal Government and of all parties represented in Parliament, as well as representatives from Nazi victim organisations.

President of the National Council Wolfgang Sobotka: "As Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Fund, it is of particular concern to me that the survivors from Austria are supported. Austria is acutely aware of its responsibility towards the victims of National Socialism. In the many years since it was founded, the National Fund has supported over 30,000 survivors from Austria in more than 50 countries worldwide. The work of the National Fund centres around the victims – people who were persecuted by the Nazi regime for a whole variety of reasons. This payment is a further important step to support them. It shows that we as a society are committed to never forgetting the darkest chapter of our past."

Federal Minister for the EU and the Constitution Karoline Edtstadler: "Austria bears a special responsibility for the crimes of Nazi tyranny in which many Austrians took part. With this extraordinary payment, the Austrian Federal Government is making another important gesture to support surviving Austrian victims of Nazi tyranny in their day-to-day lives. We cannot undo the Nazis' crimes, but we will do everything we can to help those who were victims of their dehumanising hatred – as a matter of decency, a matter of conscience and of our historical responsibility. The brutal terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel has once again brought the security issue of the Jews painfully into focus. To us it is clear: The security of Israel and the Jewish people is non-negotiable!"

Federal Minister of Finance Magnus Brunner: "Austria not only acknowledges its historical responsibility, but also acts in accordance with it. The decision to make this gesture payment to Nazi victims and Holocaust survivors serves to underline this responsibility."

The Secretary General of the National Fund Hannah Lessing: "Following prolonged efforts, I am delighted that the Austrian Federal Government is making this renewed gesture of recognition towards all victims of National Socialism. Given the age of the beneficiaries, who often live in precarious circumstances, this help is particularly valuable."

Executive Vice-President of the Claims Conference, Greg Schneider, said: „After ongoing negotiations, we are pleased to have achieved this milestone with the Austrian government. Austrian Holocaust survivors living globally deserve this recognition. While the Claims Conference has been supporting Austrian Jewish survivors with critically needed assistance for home care and other welfare services, these additional payments from the Austrian government, while symbolic, will go a long way for some of the more vulnerable in that waning population."

Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat, Special Negotiator for the Claims Conference, who had previously negotiated under the Clinton Administration as Deputy Secretary of the Treasury and Special Adviser to the President and Secretary of State on Holocaust Issues, resulting in the January 2001 Washington agreement with the government of Austria said: "The impact of this hard-fought, symbolic payment for Austrian Jewish Holocaust survivors cannot be overstated. Aside from the money which will undoubtedly be a benefit to those who receive it, this achievement indicates a level of accountability and acknowledgment on behalf of the Austrian government. These elderly Holocaust survivors, one third of whom live in poverty today, suffered grievously in their youth. This gesture of responsibility acknowledges their suffering and hopefully slightly eases their burden in this final chapter of their lives."

Enquiries:

National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism
Parliament, Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring 3, 1017 Vienna
Tel. [phone], email: [e-mail]
Web: www.nationalfonds.org

 

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