On November 5, 2026, the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF), together with Campus Tivoli, welcomed over 150 guests to the first event at the Old Main Customs Office in Vienna. Even before the official opening of the new location, the event focused on a topic of central importance to social cohesion: recognizing antisemitism and decisively confronting it. During the event, historian and Ö1 science journalist Martin Haidinger presented his new book, "Hatred of Jews: A Virus That Spanns the World." The welcoming remarks were given by ÖIF Director Franz Wolf and Wolfgang Sobotka, President of Campus Tivoli.
Anti-Semitism from antiquity to the present day
In his book, Martin Haidinger examines the history of antisemitism from antiquity to the present day. He demonstrates how antisemitic prejudices have persisted for centuries, adapted to social and political changes, and repeatedly taken on new forms. He explores why antisemitism continues across different religions, political systems, and historical periods, and which patterns recur. Current debates about Israel, anti-Zionism, and the distinction between legitimate criticism of Israeli policies and antisemitism are also addressed.
Panel discussion: Historical roots and current forms of antisemitism
In the subsequent panel discussion, moderated by Wolfgang Sobotka, Martin Haidinger, political scientist and author Nina Scholz, and historian Hannes Leidinger from the University of Vienna examined the historical roots and current manifestations of antisemitism. The discussion focused on the persistence of religious prejudices, the emergence of new enemy images, and the political instrumentalization of Jew-hatred. Scholz addressed, in particular, anti-Jewish traditions in the Islamic world and the necessity of critically examining them. Haidinger and Leidinger also discussed Mohammed Amin al-Husseini's collaboration with the Nazi regime. Debates on anti-Zionism, the distinction between legitimate criticism of Israeli policies and Jew-hatred, and the resurgence of antisemitic stereotypes since the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, were also discussed.
