Israel-Austrian Bilateral Relations since 1949
Israel and Austria have been enjoying diplomatic relations since 1949.
Austria recognizes the State of Israel
Arrival of the mortal remains of Theodor Herzl in Tel Aviv
Dr. Daniel Levin comes to Vienna as Deputy Consul and later becomes Consul
The Israeli and Austrian Representations are upgraded to the status of Missions
The Israeli and Austrian Missions are upgraded to Embassies
Dr. Rudolf Kirchschläger is the first Austrian Foreign Minister to visit Israel
Event with Prime Minister Golda Meir in the Hofburg
After the election of Kurt Waldheim as Austrian Federal President, Israel is represented by Chargé d'Affaires Gideon Yarden until 1990
Event with Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin at the Vienese Israelitische Kultusgemeinde (IKG)
Dr. Franz Vranitzky is the first Austrian Federal Chancellor to visit Israel as an official guest. In Israel, Federal Chancellor Vranitzky finds clear words for the co-responsibility of Austrians in the Holocaust. This leads to a renewed intensification of relations between the two countries after the end of Dr. Kurt Waldheim's presidency
Dr. Thomas Klestil is the first Austrian head of state to make an official state visit to Israel
Benjamin Netanyahu is the first Israeli Prime Minister to travel to Vienna for an official visit.
Ambassador Nathan Meron, who had been in Vienna since March 1998, is recalled from Vienna for an indefinite period by the Israeli government in February 2000 due to the coalition between the ÖVP (Austrian People's Party) and FPÖ (Austrian Freedom Party). Ambassador Ilan Ben-Dov becomes Chargé d'Affaires
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz during his visit to Israel
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen visited Israel to strengthen bilateral relations as well as to discuss regional security issues.
Austrian President Van der Bellen visited Israel to take part in events commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
During his visit President Reuven Rivlin accompanied by Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi met with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Kurz and discussed the importance of combating antisemitism and preserving the memory of the Holocaust.
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz visited Israel together with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to discuss collaborative efforts in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic
In November 2021, Minister of Diaspora Nachman Shai visited at the request of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. He represented the government at the ceremony inaugurating the "Shoah Wall of Names Memorial", dedicated to the 65,000 Austrian Jews who perished in the Holocaust
On January 27th 2022, Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid visited the former Mauthausen concentration camp, where his grandfather was murdered in the Shoah one month before the end of the war, to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
In June 2022, the Israeli Embassy introduced the Israel Friendship Award for the first time to honor individuals and organizations that have significantly helped strengthened the bond between Austria and Israel. The award winners were the Austrian-Israeli Academic Network Innsbruck (AIANI) and soccer coach Andreas Herzog
Prime Minister Yair Lapid welcomed Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer to Israel. During the trip, they signed a comprehensive Strategic Partnership to further deepen the already excellent relationship between Israel and Austria
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen visited Vienna to strengthen diplomatic ties and enhance bilateral cooperation.
During his visit to Vienna, President Herzog partook in the unveiling of a memorial plaque in honor of Theodor Herzl at the Berggasse 6. Federal Minister Karoline Edtstadler as well as the Mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig took part in the unveiling
On October 7th, the Austrian Chancellery and Foreign Ministry raised the flag of Israel in a show of solidarity with Israel
Following the brutal terrorist massacre perpetrated by Hamas on Ocotber 7th 2023, approximately 20.000 people gathered at the Heldenplatz in Vienna on November 2nd 2023 for a solidarity rally to show their support for Israel
Following the brutal terrorist massacre against Israeli civilians perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th2023, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer visited Israel on 25 October 2023 to express Austria’s solidarity and support for Israel. During his visit he met with President Herzog, Prime Minister Netanyahu and other senior officials to discuss Austria’s commitment to combating terrorism