Interesting comments below. Life can be much easier if one doesn't care abot research. What actually do I have to do with the actions taken by my ancestors during WW2?

There is a definite distinction. Sorry you don't have the brains to figure that one out.

Sorry we forgot to pay respects to your butt.

Mr. Klieger, Sir, whatever drives you to write an article like this one, I'm sure, there is some dark reason. If you (and a lot of people here in the list) would be ready to learn, you would be surprised how different things are in reality. You see things this way because you want them to be this way. I'm glad things are different. And things have changed, we've 2008. PS, commentators: as the famous jewish Austrian cancellor Kreisky said once in a press conference: learn history !

Dear Phoenix, the words you wrote down sounds not very nice to me. I´´ve never been a member of the Wehrmacht and I´ve never been member in an NS-Organization. I´m sure my genes a clean, and so i beg you that you should not insult people in this way. Yours truly muru

Why do you still agitate against Germany and Austria? When will this stop? WE CAN'T HEAR IT ANYMORE!!! This is OUR country and not yours so look at your own country full of war and hate!

They had to vote "yes" to the annexation of Austria to germany with a gun on their head ? Were those 630.000 members of the nazi party also obliged in this way to be member ? around 10 % of the population . How did they receive adolf in Vienna ? were they obliged to be so enthousiatic with guns too ? So they did collaborate , with fervour . Can you change people's ideas in 50 years without a denazification program as in Germany ? For many years after the end of WWII Austria's population was told that they were also victims . It had taken 40 years , i think , before it was admitted that Austria was not a victim , but a perpetrator . Sad to say , but this article , even if it is exagerated , has a great part of thruth .

you are so stupid, nobody of you know anything about Haider and our political partys also not the author of this trash here... ok he said that the employment policies of Nazi Germany was good but believe me Haider was not anti-Semitic also not Strache from the FPÖ both have other topics. Haider made many good things for austria and not so good things but almost every politician makes mistakes... and such a funeral for this man is justified but when people are clueless they talk s... and i dont want to talk about some wars for examples in parts of jordan and against the Palestinian people

How dare you compare the millions killed by the Nazis to the Palestinians! It is you who are talking scheiss. When I visited Austria in the 1990's, I stayed at the Jagdhof in Salzburg, where Hermann Goering's knife collection was proudly displayed among other hunting "artifacts." And you wonder why Klieger would be questioning Austria's motives?

Only by keeping themselves at a safe distance from any pro-fascist, ultra right wing politicians and their parties can Austria and its people show the world in a believable fashion that they indeed have turned their backs against Nazism and Neo-Nazism. Anything short of this will NOT do. By comparison: Germany, although belated, has done so. Maybe not for 110%, but still, by deeds and a quite long standing record supported by at least the majority of the second and third post WW2 generations. Knowing both Germany and Austria intimately very well, the latter has failed to do so in my eyes.

Only by abolishing the death penalty for good, only by closing shameful prison camps like Guantanamo Bay forever, only by stopping to issue government orders to waterboard human beings, only by stopping to incessantly tell lies about so-called waepons of mass destruction and use that lie to kill thousands of people, only by stopping to support the Israels in the quest to conquer theor neighbor's territory and kill thousands of innocent people in the process, only by stopping to write disfraceful articles like Noah Klieger, only by etc etc etc... ... can the USA and Israel and their peoples show to the world in a believable fashion that they indeed have turned their backs on barbarian practices and have become civilized nations. Anything short of this will NOT do. By comparison: Most cilivilized nations in the world and in fact ALL nations in Europe have abolished the death penalty a long time ago, as a matter of course. Europe does not maintain an island off their coasts outside their jurisdictions, where they put in jail people from countries they have attacked under false pretense (like the Americans have done) and waterboard them. Knowing Europe, the USA and Israel intimately well, the latter two have clearly failed to do prove to the world that it has arrived in the 21st century and become a civilized nation. Of course it is no help to have someone like George Bush turn the clock backwards, or someone like Noah Klieger who keeps fanning the flames and make inacceptable generalisations.

to #70: Sir, I am representing the Jagdhof in Salzburg. You claim that we display Hermann Goering's knife collection. That is a lie!

To the Austrian people responding: The sentence at the head of the article (after "No." reads as follows: "MANY Austrians have proven yet again that they have not changed." The funeral as conducted WAS distasteful as were the Nazi medals on the participants. Why weren't they arrested and cited? Maybe the Austrian responders would like to explain that? Isn't displaying Nazi symbols, etc. in public unlawful? Do we need to come back and "reinstruct" and "denazify" you?

We both agree to what the American anonymous (why he had to hide behind -USA- is also a riddle to me) put so well in words. But I like to amend your words a bit, if you don't mind: It is not for us 2nd and 3rd generation Shoah survivors Jews to decide if , when and whom we can and shall forgive. Only the victims themselves have the moral power to do so. No one else. Those still alive can decide if and whom to forgive. But what about those 6 millions deported, then either starved, slaved or industrious processed to death? We survivors have therefore no proxy rights and need to embrace another conception of Shoah morality: Let the perpetrators and their offspring show that they broke with the past. This by not only turning over a new page but closing this soiled book and opening a new and totally different book on a virgin page number 1. The activities of this Haider and consorts were definitely only a new chapter in the old book and his funeral a "glorious" finale of the epitaph of that chapter. Sadly for Austria, this book will have yet many more new chapters as far as I can predict it.......

One or more positive things about Nazism did not turn it into something good. The more you try to defend Haider and his cronies, the more you proof us right. And about stupidity and cluelessness spoken; wars in some parts of Jordan?? Transjordan I presume? OMG, you still live in pre-1949 and we are in our independance war. Yeah, right!

This article is completely ridiculous. I intended to pay a visit to Israel, a country I admired until now. Of course I will not come to a place that is so full of hatred against my country !! shalom !!

Everyone is talking, but nobody knows exactly what he want's to say. really sad. typically human!

We Austrians are remembered every single day of the mistakes of our ancestors. We could go on and on with accusing ourselves (you're from the USA and live on a land YOU stole from natives which YOU then killed ==> do you like it, when I say "you" in that case?) and it would lead to nothing. Especially when I live in a country, where George Bush, the world's warlord for the last years, was elected TWICE, I would think particularly before writing.

Did you know that Amim-al Hussein, a former leader of you, met Adolf Hitler in 1941 to plan the genocide of all jews in Arabia? So you have to agree that when we all are NAZIS that makes you to NAZIS too.

Austrians have always preferred to live in their peaceful, democratic, neutral, small country, then and now. Most of them liked the Greater German Reich as much as they like the EU - not at all. Austria's most popular politician was Bruno Kreisky, a Jew. So what?

Reading your many comments, there are several things which I wanted to address to all of you. 1. Amazing that so many of you came to respond here, I never realized this site attracts so many people in your country. Have you all been regulars here and only now chose to respond, or word got around in Austria about this article and that brought all of you here? 2. Most of you express yourselves civilly and politely, and appear to be quite intelligent and open to discussion. I appreciate that. 3. Others, like Martin #47 are quite off-base with reality - with all the understanding I could muster for Haider - even you Austrians would find it difficult to think of him as "a man of peace, justice and love". Worse yet, Martin then blames the "blood, terrorism, bombs and rockets in Israel", not on the Palestinians who terrorize us, but on us Israelis! Also claiming we "killed thousands of Palestinian children, women and men". I could easily disect his ludicrous claims just as you disect Klieger's article, but this is not my point here. 4. Granted that not all Austrians supported Haider and his policies, and that those who did, did it for a variety of reasons, mostly unrelated to Nazism. But here's a man who not once expressed sympathy to Hitler. This is a "red flag" for Jews. Hitler was the embodiment of evil. Anyone who supports such person is viewed as troubling, and when such person is given such a lavish funeral and respect, it is kind of distasteful, especially for Holocaust survivors like Klieger, who lost their families becasue of the man Haider admired. 5. #48 - "we live in peace with our neighbors" - that's because you have Switzerland, Italy, Germany, and Slovakia as neighbors, and not Egypt, Syria and Lebanon... :) "Stop thinking in the past" - we have vowed NEVER TO FORGET the Holocaust and the ideology which spawned it. Haider's ideology, minus today's political correctness and the intention to exterminate Jews - was almost eerily similar, at least with how the third Reich started. Maybe it is your country which still looks at the past, if they identify with this ideology? 6. Please forgive Klieger for using some expressions that appear somewhat blatant - but after having gone through what he's gone in the Holocaust - he is in no position to be judged. 7. Still, I agree that not all Austrians are Nazis today. I also agree that most Austrians were probably forced to accept the German annexation. Can you, though, with a hand on your heart - say that the majority of Austrians did not enjoy getting rid of their Jews? Or that even today, most Austrians view Jews favorably? Highly doubtful. From personal experience as a kid in Austria, in a visit there 20 years ago - that was the first (and only) time I personally encountered blatant antisemitism anywhere in the world. 8. As for the Jewish community in Austria - they live in constant fear and consequently are quite divisive themselves, and do not have the same high profile as in America or France for example. 9. I see that all of you are quite concerned about the image of your country in Israel, and I completely understand and sympathize with your reaction. However, this is only one time. What about the numerous times that Israel is villified and its image is distorted in the European media? Are you quick to point out the injustice, or you are happily fed with this news, like Martin (#47)? 10. Let us look forward, toward the future, but without forgetting the lessons of the past. The best action against Nazism, Xenophobia, stereotypes and such evils, is building more bridges using conversations and open, bias-free minds. (So many cliche's, I know ;)- but still true... )

To #82: I would like to add a few comments on your post. 1) I agree that most responses from Austrians here are justified, mostly well-balanced and by and large correct (there are always exceptions of course, and some posts should better not have been written, as one should never respond to the obvious mistake of Noah Klieger of openly displayed hatred by making the same mistake oneself). 2) I also agree that Noah Klieger should not be judged too harshely, given his age and his past in a concentration camp of the Nazis. Nevertheless his article is totally unacceptable and an insult. I am certain that no intelligent person agrees with Noah Klieger. His article is full of false statements, hatred, and so-called "proofs" that in fact aren't. 3) You seen to imply that Haider expressed personal sympathy for Adolf Hitler. For all I know, that is simply not true. He never praised him as a person, ever. And to my knowledge, there is no account of him ever mentioning his name. What Haider did is to accuse the labor policies of Austria about 20 years ago, saying that not even in the Third Reich they were as bad. See post #25 for the exact quote, which is accurate. 4) You say that the Jewish community in Austria "lives in constant fear". I am a member of the Jewish community here, and have to say that I cannot confirm that. I live in the 2nd district (Jewish district more or less). Austria is very peaceful, people are well educated, life is absolutely safe, and I feel fully integrated. So do all of my friends and colleages. I really have to say that I don't know of ANY Jew here who lives in fear. Of what? 5) Most people who live in Austria will confirm that there are virtually no major problems with antisemitism there (there are of course always some who make some noise of course, but by and large they are irrelevant and harmless, and are dealt with properly by the police). I can really leave in peace here, and I am proud to be a Jew in Vienna. 6) What Austrians dislike however (and are in fact, and rightfully so, disgusted with), is openly displayed hatred, unjustified generalisations, and general accusations that are simply not true -- unfortunately there is A LOT of all of that in Noah Kliegers's article. 7) On the other hand, note that Mr. Ariel Muzicant example has published Noah Klieger's article on the web site www.ikg-wien.at, but LEFT IT UNCOMMENTED. I feel ashamed for that. Because I know that the article does not represent the majority opinion of my beloved home country, Israel.

How stupid are you? Nobody in Austria want the past back. you think all people in austria are nazis? we have 2 million people from other countrys in austria and we live in peace with them together. you in israel kill other people with bombs etc. and you say we are stupid or something? everyone in austria laughts about your article it is really the stupidest article I've ever read.

I saw this display with my own eyes at the Jagdhof am Fusshlsee in the 1990's. I was there for the Salzburg Festspiel. My husband and I were horrified and our confidence in Austrian so-called atonement for its crimes against humanity has been completely undermined. Salzburg is one of the most lovely, inspiring places I have ever been to. It is most unfortunate that such a beautiful land can glorify such an ugly monster as Goering and then have people like you who insist on covering up their ugly past.

Thank you for your post. But when responding to me, one should try and address all the points I brought up (not only the points one chooses to address), as I tried to answer all of the points brought up by the Austrians above me. So instead of further self-justifications, I would like to see some people identifying with what I wrote in numbers 5 (the beginning) and 9. About the Jewish community, I meant that there is a good reason for them to keep a low profile, and try to assimilate themselves as best as they can, in contrast to Jews in the US or France. And I still think you delude yourself that antisemitism is not widespread in your country.

Your comment "such a beautiful land glorifies such an ugly monster..." is very typical of the generalisations that low-quality people like you make. You should really be ashamed of making such false accusations. Let me assure you that I know absolutely nobody out here who glorifies Goering or the period between 1939 to 1945, let alone an entire "land" ... as you dare "concluding". We too are horrified even by just thinking about the Nazis. Those were horrible crimes. Some of our ancestors have had their fair share in all of that mess, there is no doubt about that. But I was born after the war. I feel very offended by your ignorant comments. My grandparents no longer lived when I was born. My grandfather was tortured and then killed in the Mauthausen concentration camp, my grandmother was killed by an American-led (!) attack over the twon of Linz in Upper Austria, not very far from Salzburg where I live today. My mother was the only surviving member of a family of six children. She was "arrested" several times when she was a young woman, raped by both the Nazis and the Russians during the subsequent occupation time which lasted ten years (1945-55). I therefore don't know who is my father, I don't even know whether he was a Nazi or a Russian. My mother had to grww up in bitter poverty.The Russions had taken everything the Nazis have left behind (which was not much). And you sorry motherfucker visit our beloved country once for a day or two, have a look at some knifes, and then dare concluding that the entire "land" glorifies Goering. What the hell are you thinking??? That is just about the biggest piece of bullshit I have ever heard. In case you didn't know: two generations were now born post-1945. These people have worked extremely hard to resurrect Austria to make it the prosperous beautiful country that everybody loves. So who the hell are you? Why do you dare accusing an entire "land" of glorifying a man who was born over 100 years ago? In case you don't know: America still has the death penalty, not exactly a sign of a civilized "land". And there are just about as many neonazis, percentage-wise, in Austria than there are in the US. Just study the statistics. I really wish you stay in your fucked-up country, put with George Bush who lies about weapons of mass destructions, killed tens of thousands of innocent people, and has people waterboarded. No wonder you like it there!

This article really is a piece of bullshit. Portaying all austrians as nzis doesn´t help at all, you know that? There are some Nazis, I admit. But saying, that Austria didn´t learn anything from his history is just painfully stupid.

I´ve never seen this collection, but why should presenting a knife collection glorify the collector?

Austria surely paid its due as they were occupied after WWII for 10 long years by the winners of this war (UK, USA, FRA, Soviet Union). In this time frame raw materials, noble metals (gold from the federal reserve), railway equimpent, complete factories and much more items worth hundreds of millions of USD were transferred to the victory nations as recompensation for war damages. So please do not make statements if you are not familiar with the historical facts.