Israelis now eligible for German and Austrian citizenship based on family heritage – New laws passed in Germany and Austria regarding the victims of the Nazi persecution simplifies the threshold conditions for obtaining citizenship and passports of these countries. | The Times of Israel

Now many more Israelis and Jews around the world are entitled for a European passport. What are the relevant changes Israelis need to know?
Jews in the Austro-Hungarian Empire
In 1867, Austria and Hungary united to form the Austro-Hungarian Empire which controlled large parts of Eastern and Central Europe. At its peak, it ruled over a vast geographical area and included the Balkan countries, parts of the countries of Poland, Romania, Ukraine and more. Austria-Hungary sought to promote theoretical equality of rights for all subjects of the kingdom and thus to quiet potential uprisings as well as to allow freedom of movement in various parts of the continent.