Israel's Embassy in Budapest Reacts to Gyongyosi's Anti-Semitic Statement

Recently, the public saw the emergence of yet another anti-Semitic statement from Marton Gyongyosi, president of the Jobbik party. In his correspondence, the opposition politician attacked Viktor Orban with anti-Jewish statements, describing Hungary's prime minister as a "Zionist hireling". Israel's ambassador to Budapest, Yacov Hadas-Handelsman, responded to Magyar Nemzet's inquiry about Mr Gyongyosi's remark.

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At a public forum in 2013, Jobbik's politician spoke mockingly about the victims of the Holocaust.

David Pressman takes the anti-Semitic politician's side

Although Marton Gyongyos's anti-Semitic statements having grabbed headlines, US Ambassador David Pressman believes the Jobbik president has a place at the delegation's receptions. Last April, Mr Gyongyosi was photographed wearing a kippah at the embassy's Passover Seder. Responding to Magyar Nemzet's question, the US ambassador emphasized that the embassy had extended an invitation to Mr Gyongyosi to attend the dinner even despite the politician's previous anti-Semitic remarks, because it is important for them to have a dialogue with Hungarians of different opinions, including even those with whom they disagree.

Cover photo: Jobbik President Marton Gyongyosi (Photo: Zoltan Havran)