Austrians Form Group to Fight Anti-Semitism
A group of Austrians on Tuesday announced the formation of an organization to fight anti-Semitism, said by Jewish leaders to have risen considerably since the election of Kurt Waldheim as president.
Austrian National Bank Managing Director Heinz Kienzl was named president of the League of Friends of the Jews.
“The league will strive to win over as members as many Austrians as possible,” he told a news conference.
Kienzl rejected suggestions the group was formed to improve Austria’s image after Waldheim’s election in June, 1986, amid allegations he was involved in war crimes while serving in the German army in World War II.
Waldheim denies the charges.
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