Austrian President Heinz Fischer (L) welcomes Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak in his office at the historic Hofburg Palace in Vienna December 9, 2011.
The portrait is Queen Maria Teresa, probably the most anti-Semitic monarch of her time, having inherited the traditional prejudices of her ancestors and acquired new ones. This was a product of deep religious devotion and was not kept secret in her time.[114] In 1777, she wrote of the Jews: "I know of no greater plague than this race, which on account of its deceit, usury and avarice is driving my subjects into beggary. Therefore as far as possible, the Jews are to be kept away and avoided." [From Wikipedia]
Nice to see a flag of Israel next to her portrait.
