Israeli president visits Austria

Israel's president, Moshe Katsav, has arrived in Austria in the first-ever visit by an Israeli president. Katsav thanked his Austrian counterpart, Heinz Fischer, for saying that Austria opposed all forms of anti-Semitism. Israel had recalled its ambassador from Vienna in 2000 after the far-right Freedom Party joined the Austrian government, but returned its envoy last year. Both presidents agreed anti-Semitism must be fought uncompromisingly, and Fischer repeated the Nazi era must never be allowed to happen again. However, on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, disagreements surfaced. When Katsav urged Austria to distinguish between support for a Palestinian state and support for Palestinian terror, Fischer responded that Israel should be more understanding of the terrorists' motives. That prompted Katsav to say that there was no justification for terrorism, and that the Austrians ought to demand an end to it instead of expressing understanding.