Despite Austria’s Chancellor’s tough rhetoric on illegal immigration and border controls, many believe he falls short, merely managing dangerous migrants with measures like stab-proof vests and weapon-free zones, rather than taking decisive actions.
A series of gruesome knife attacks on Austrians in Vienna’s Favoriten district continues to cause outrage among locals. The latest incident, involving a police officer, was captured in disturbing footage released by the German news site NiUS, once again highlighting the growing migrant violence in the area.
The Incident
The suspect, identified as a 41-year-old Jordanian migrant, appears from the side behind an officer conducting a check. Suddenly, he reaches out and stabs with full force.
The young police officer survived with minor injuries. As the footage suggests, he was incredibly fortunate — the attacker seemed to aim for the officer’s neck but missed by a few centimeters, and the blade was deflected by the “stab-proof vest.”
Police Equipment and Response
“Ballistic stab-proof vests” are now standard police equipment. Their procurement began under Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka in 2016, at the height of the mass migration crisis, and was completed by the end of 2021 under Austria’s Chancellor Karl Nehammer.
The 24-year-old officer reacted quickly, moving away from the attacker, who was then subdued with an electric shock device, as reported by Krone Zeitung’s new site.
Motive
Another video shows the suspect being overpowered. Authorities claim that the Jordanian suspect wanted to commit “suicide by cop,” as he “confessed” during his initial interrogation, citing personal problems. “It didn’t matter to him whether the police officer died,” claimed Markus Dittrich, spokesman for the Vienna police. The suspect is now being investigated for attempted murder.
A Pattern of Violence
As previously reported by RAIR Foundation USA, in virtually every instance of jihad or migrant attacks in Europe, politicians, and media try to hide the identity of the attackers. However, in rare cases, when an attacker’s identity and citizenship status are leaked, the suspect is often presented as suffering from some mental health issues.
This knife attack on an Austrian police officer follows the recent murder of a young German police officer by an Afghan refugee who was trying to kill Islam critic Michael Stürzenberger.
Deep Shock in Favoriten District
The Federal Minister of the Interior of Austria, Gerhard Karner, said, “I want to thank all the officers involved in this life-threatening operation and commend their professional handling of the situation. I wish the injured officer a speedy recovery.”
The Broader Issue
Unfortunately, these types of violent stabbing attacks by migrants have become an epidemic in Austria and throughout European countries. The attacks and violence are so frequent in Vienna that an identity check at Keplerplatz was already in place, prompted by an earlier incident where police officers were pelted with glass bottles. A “weapons ban zone” had even been implemented a few weeks prior.
Criticism of Government Policies
Although Austria’s Chancellor has a supposedly strong stance against illegal immigration and stricter border controls than most in Europe, many feel he has not gone far enough. Instead of merely managing the dangerous migrants they have let into their country with measures like stab-proof vests and weapon-free zones, they want more decisive actions taken.
Analysis of Chancellor Nehammer’s Immigration Policies
As the European Conservative reports, Chancellor Nehammer’s policies have often fallen short of his tough rhetoric. For instance:
- Incomplete Implementation of Measures: Despite announcing plans to deport foreign criminals and set up asylum centers outside Austria, many of these initiatives have not been fully realized. The proposed deportations often face legal and logistical challenges, resulting in many convicted criminals remaining in Austria.
- Economic Incentives for Migrants: Critics argue that Nehammer’s policies still provide substantial financial incentives for migrants to come to Austria. While he proposes vouchers instead of cash for asylum seekers, the overall support system remains attractive compared to other EU countries.
- Inconsistent Enforcement: There have been numerous instances where Nehammer’s government has failed to enforce immigration laws consistently. This inconsistency undermines the credibility of his tough stance on illegal immigration.
- Rising Asylum Applications: Under Nehammer’s leadership, Austria saw a significant number of asylum applications, with 112,000 people seeking asylum in 2022. Although the number decreased to 56,000 last year, it remains one of the highest in Europe, indicating that the government’s measures have not effectively curbed the influx of migrants.
- Public Perception and Credibility: The Austrian public remains skeptical of Nehammer’s policies. A recent report by the Kronen Zeitung suggests that many Austrians believe Nehammer’s tough talk on immigration is merely a bid to regain popularity before the upcoming legislative elections scheduled for autumn 2024. The anti-immigration Freedom Party (FPÖ), which is leading in polls, has accused the ÖVP of failing to deliver on its promises and contributing to the migration crisis.
The ongoing debate on migration and its impacts, exemplified by the recent knife attack in Vienna, highlights the urgent need for more effective and decisive actions to manage migration challenges in Austria. This incident showcases the gaps between the government’s tough talk and the realities on the ground, highlighting the necessity for more comprehensive and enforceable policies.
News Link: https://rairfoundation.com/austria-police-officer-survives-gruesome-knife-attack-migrant/
