Israel is taking steps toward establishing formal ties with Austria's far-right Freedom Party after its leader issued a strong condemnation of antisemitism and Hamas terrorism.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced Thursday that Israel seeks a substantive dialogue with the FPÖ, marking a potential shift from a long-standing boycott rooted in the party's Nazi origins. The Freedom Party was founded in the 1950s by former SS members and Nazi Party affiliates.

The move follows a speech by FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl at a European Parliament conference in Strasbourg. Kickl apologized for Austria's role in the Holocaust, describing it as a dark chapter and expressing regret on behalf of his party. He condemned the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks as a crime against humanity and the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Kickl also endorsed the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism and recognized the Jewish people's historic connection to Judea and Samaria.

If the FPÖ enters government, Kickl pledged to relocate Austria's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, aligning with Israel's position on the city as its capital.

Sa'ar described the statements as an important and positive development amid the complex history between the two sides. He emphasized that building trust requires translating commitments into actions. Israel's Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli called the speech a crossing of the Rubicon and highlighted a long process of trust-building between Israel and the FPÖ.

The FPÖ has maintained contacts with Israeli officials, including visits by its European Parliament members to Jerusalem and the West Bank. Likud, the party of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has observer status in a European group that includes the FPÖ.

Israel previously maintained distance from the FPÖ due to its history of antisemitic rhetoric and leadership. Earlier coalitions involving the party prompted Israel to recall its ambassador from Vienna. The current signals represent a notable evolution in approach.

Austria's Jewish community has expressed caution about the party's rise. The FPÖ leads in recent polls ahead of potential future elections.