A new political party, List Gaza: Speak Out Against Genocide, has been officially formed in Austria, aiming to raise awareness about the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza.

The party will participate in Austria’s national elections on September 29, 2024, seeking to enter parliament to advocate for the Palestinian people and push for an end to Israeli military aggression.

The List Gaza Party emerged from months of protests in Austria. Since October 7, 2023, activists have been rallying against Israeli military operations in Gaza. These protests, organized by a diverse group of Arab, Bosniak, Kurdish, Turkish, Asian, and African Muslims, as well as anti-Zionist Jews and Christians, aimed to influence the Austrian government’s stance on Israel. Despite their efforts, the activists felt that the protests did not yield the desired political results. In response, they decided to formalize their movement by entering Austria’s national elections as a political party.

“We felt our voices weren’t being heard through protests alone,” said Wilhelm Langthaler, the founder and parliamentary candidate for List Gaza. “Austria has a tradition of neutrality, and yet our government continues to support Israel’s actions in Gaza. By forming List Gaza, we are making sure this issue is no longer ignored.”

Langthaler emphasized Austria’s historical tradition of solidarity with Palestine, dating back to the era of former Prime Minister Bruno Kreisky. He pointed out Austria’s long-standing policy of neutrality, enshrined in its constitution since 1955, which forbids Austria from joining military alliances or participating in conflicts. “Our country should uphold this neutrality and actively promote peace. Supporting Israeli military actions contradicts that.”

The List Gaza movement has garnered support from a broad coalition of ethnic and religious groups. The party’s supporters include Muslims, Christians, and Jews from diverse backgrounds, united by their opposition to the violence in Gaza. Langthaler believes the issue of Palestinian rights transcends political and religious affiliations.

“You don’t need to have any ideological or religious ties to defend the rights of Palestinians,” said Langthaler. “This is a basic human rights issue. Everyone who calls themselves human must oppose genocide. The people of Gaza have been enduring systematic persecution for 76 years.”

The movement’s primary message is to advocate for equality, justice, and peace. It aims to challenge Israel’s policies in Gaza, which the activists describe as a form of systematic oppression amounting to genocide. “This isn’t just about politics,” Langthaler continued. “It’s about justice. A people have been forcibly displaced with the support of international powers, and the world has been silent for far too long.”

The transformation of List Gaza from a protest movement into a political party began in June 2024. After months of rallies and marches, the activists decided that running in the elections would give them a stronger platform to voice their concerns. The party’s slogan, "List Gaza: Speak Out Against Genocide," reflects its mission of advocating for Gaza while calling for Austrian neutrality, peace, and justice.

“We want our government to advocate for a just peace, recognize the Palestinian state, and call for an unconditional ceasefire,” Langthaler declared.

Ömer Batur, a Turkish-origin parliamentary candidate for List Gaza, highlighted the significance of their achievement. “In order to be on the ballot in Austria, a party must either pass the 4% electoral threshold or gather enough support across the country,” he explained. “We collected the necessary signatures in seven out of Austria’s nine states. This is no small feat, especially for a new party with limited financial resources.”

Batur also emphasized the importance of their message reaching the public. “We’ve printed over 5.5 million ballots with our slogan ‘Speak Out Against Genocide’ under our party name,” he said. “This is a major victory for us, especially when the majority of Austrian parties support Israel. We are offering a real alternative.”

He added: “Our goal is to exceed the 4% threshold and secure at least 10 seats in the Austrian Parliament. With 183 seats in total, that would give us a significant voice. We are not a traditional party; we aim to be a voice of conscience in Austria.”

For List Gaza, the situation in Gaza is a symbol of global oppression and injustice. Batur highlighted that “this is no longer just a Palestinian issue. What’s happening in Gaza is a genocide, and as people of conscience, we cannot stand by and watch. Gaza has become a symbol for all oppressed peoples around the world.”

He added, “There are many injustices in the world, but Gaza stands out because it is a systematic, long-term oppression of a people. We, as a community seeking justice, have founded List Gaza to raise awareness and force this issue onto Austria’s political agenda. This is the first time in the world that a political party is being established with Gaza as its main cause.”

List Gaza’s formation marks a turning point in the political activism surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict. By participating in Austria’s national elections, the party aims to raise awareness about Gaza and influence Austrian foreign policy.

With their inclusion on the ballot, List Gaza has already achieved a significant milestone. As Batur noted: “This is about more than just gaining seats in Parliament. It’s about ensuring that Gaza’s voice is heard, that we advocate for peace and justice, and that we challenge the current political narrative in Austria.”

The September 29 election is not just a political contest for List Gaza—it is a fight for humanity and justice. “Gaza teaches us to be human first,” Batur concluded. “We can’t stay silent in the face of genocide. It’s time to act, and we believe Austria is ready to listen.” (ILKHA)