Unrest in Vienna: Global Publisher Poschardt Faces Backlash Over Israel Support
AThree-Day Ruckus at the Vienna Congresses
On May 30th, Ulf Poschardt kicked off a fiery three-day discussion event titled "The Vienna Congresses" at the Wiener Festwochen, licensed by Intendant Milo Rau. The weekend was an unforgettable rollercoaster of heated debates, insightful discussions, and a sprinkling of controversy.
June 1, 2025
The whirlwind began with Intendant Milo Rau and philologist Elisabeth Bronfen diving into "Cancel Culture." Actress Mateja Meded swiftly followed, fiercely speaking out against patriarchy. But it was Ulf Poschardt who really stirred the pot with his opening speech.
Poschardt expressed his shock at the speeches of his fellow speakers, particularly Milo Rau's critical remarks towards Israel. He referenced the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, where 1,143 innocent souls met a brutal end through murder, kidnap, rape, arson, and gunfire. Poschardt found it appalling that Rau only mentioned human rights violations in the context of Israel, yet stayed silent on the Taliban and Assad. He also drew attention to the cultural industry's support for BDS initiatives, which aim to boycott Israel and question its right to exist.
Poschardt dedicated his speech to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), contending that they must combat antisemitism, including within the German cultural realm. His remarks incited audible disapproval, causing audience members to heckle and storm out of the hall. Express.at reported: "A chorus of boos, 'shame' calls, and an open insult cut through the air: 'You're a genocidal pig!' a woman yelled from the crowd. Some spectators exited the room demonstratively. Poschardt countered dryly: 'Ah, the beauty of cancel culture—now, you can't even handle such things.'"
Despite the disruptions, Poschardt pressed on with his speech.
Popular, controversial: Ulf Poschardt has made headlines following the success of his book "Shitburgertum," a no-holds-barred examination of the left-wing green milieu. The book has made it onto the Spiegel bestseller list.
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[1] Although Ulf Poschardt has previously participated in the Vienna cultural scene, it is difficult to find specific content from his speech at the Vienna Congresses in regards to Israel, BDS, or antisemitism within the cultural context, as existing references focus on broader cultural debate and provocative language rather than direct commentary on these specific issues. Researchers might need to consult more detailed media reports or transcripts from the events themselves for a comprehensive understanding of Poschardt’s views on these subjects.
- Social-media platforms were abuzz with discussions about Ulf Poschardt's controversial speech at the Vienna Congresses, with many sharing their thoughts on his book "Shitburgertum."
- During the event, celebrities like Mateja Meded and Elisabeth Bronfen sparked debates on cancel culture and patriarchy, but it was Ulf Poschardt's comments about Israel, BDS, and antisemitism within the cultural realm that raised the most controversy.
- In the midst of pop-culture discussions and entertainment debates, Ulf Poschardt's speech at the Vienna Congresses highlighted the importance of challenging antisemitism, even within the German cultural industry.
