At the dawn of the 20th century, the Austrian capital was a vibrant center of Jewish cultural life: it was the city of Theodor Herzl, Sigmund Freud, the novelist Joseph Roth, Gustav Mahler, and countless others, who lived alongside numerous Galician Hasidim under the rule of a vocally anti-Semitic mayor. Joshua Marks describes the city’s remaining Jewish landmarks, and the early history of its Jewish community:

The story of Jewish life in Vienna traces its origins to the Middle Ages, specifically in the vicinity of Judenplatz (“Jewish square” in German). This location also marks the site of the first of three significant tragedies that befell the city’s Jewish community. The earliest official records of Jews in Austria date back to the year 904. However, it was not until 1194 that a Jew was specifically mentioned in Vienna, with a man named Schlom (Shalom) being recognized as a mint master under Duke Leopold V.

Schlom’s fate mirrored that of countless Jews across Europe and Jerusalem during the Crusades. As European Christians advanced toward the Holy Land, they perpetrated violence against Jews, including the massacre of Schlom and fifteen members of his household in Vienna in 1196.

The first notable rabbi of Vienna was Isaac ben Moshe, known as the Or Zaru’a, Hebrew for “Sown Light,” after his most renowned scholarly work, still regarded as a vital component of rabbinical literature.

Small in area and population and rich in natural gas, Qatar plays an outsize role in the Middle East. While its support keeps Hamas in business, it also has vital relations with Israel that are much better than those enjoyed by many other Arab countries. Doha’s relationship with Washington, though more complex, isn’t so different. Yoel Guzansky offers a comprehensive examination of Israel’s Qatar dilemma:

At first glance, Qatar’s foreign policy seems filled with contradictions. Since 1995, it has pursued a strategy of diplomatic hedging—building relationships with multiple, often competing, actors. Qatar’s vast wealth and close ties with the United States have enabled it to maneuver independently on the international stage, maintaining relations with rival factions, including those that are direct adversaries.

Qatar plays an active role in international diplomacy, engaging in conflict mediation in over twenty regions worldwide. While not all of its mediation efforts have been successful, they have helped boost its international prestige, which it considers vital for its survival among larger and more powerful neighbors. Qatar has participated in mediation efforts in Venezuela, Lebanon, Iran, Afghanistan, and other conflict zones, reinforcing its image as a neutral broker.

Israel’s stated objective of removing Hamas from power in Gaza is fundamentally at odds with Qatar’s interest in keeping Hamas as the governing force. In theory, if the Israeli hostages would to be released, Israel could break free from its dependence on Qatari mediation. However, it is likely that even after such a development, Qatar will continue positioning itself as a mediator—particularly in enforcing agreements and shaping Gaza’s reconstruction efforts.

Qatar’s position is strengthened further by its good relations with the U.S. Yet, Guzansky notes, it has weaknesses as well that Israel could exploit:

Qatar is highly sensitive to its global image and prides itself on maintaining a neutral diplomatic posture. If Israel chooses to undermine Qatar’s reputation, it could target specific aspects of Qatari activity that are problematic from an Israeli perspective.