Does Chikli’s meeting with Austria’s FPÖ mark an end to Israel’s boycott of the Nazi-linked party?

Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli met with senior officials of Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) in Vienna on November 9, the first such meeting by an Israeli minister with the Nazi-founded party, which remains officially boycotted by Israel. The visit included a Kristallnacht memorial ceremony in Graz.

Israel's Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli met with senior officials from Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) in Vienna on November 9, 2026, marking the first such meeting between an Israeli minister and the party, which remains officially boycotted by Israel. The FPÖ was founded in 1956 by former Nazis, including SS officers. Chikli's visit followed a September speech by FPÖ chairman Herbert Kickl, who adopted the full IHRA definition of antisemitism and called October 7 a crime against humanity. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar praised Kickl's remarks at the time. The meeting included FPÖ politician Harald Vilimsky, National Council President Walter Rosenkranz, and Styria Governor Mario Kunasek. The visit concluded with a Kristallnacht memorial ceremony in Graz, where Chikli spoke. Chikli described the FPÖ as a conservative partner and praised Kickl for breaking a decades-long taboo. The article notes that Chikli has faced criticism from Diaspora Jews for his outreach to far-right European parties, and it remains unclear whether Israel will formally end its boycott of the FPÖ.