Anti-Semitic Scenes Rampant in West Are Unthinkable in Hungary, Says Foreign Minister + Video

Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Peter Szijjarto holds talks with his Israeli counterpart Israel Katz in Budapest.

Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto (right) in talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz (left) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Budapest on June 17, 2024 (Photo: MTI/Robert Hegedus)

The former is right next door, and although the latter is geographically further away, Hungary is directly affected, as many people of Hungarian origin live in Israel, and several of them were taken hostage by Hamas terrorists last October. He warned that with the situation in the Middle East playing a fundamentally determinant role in world security, the conflict in Gaza could easily escalate into a serious global threat. "Moreover, if the crisis in Gaza and the war in Ukraine, God forbid, reach each other, I think we could face a real danger of a world conflagration, the danger of a global war," he said. The minister then summarized Hungary's position in four points. The first is that October 7 must never be repeated anywhere, and the international community must therefore achieve victory over terrorist groups. The second point is the immediate release of all hostages.

I firmly believe there is no room here for conditions, or for establishing criteria,

he emphasized.

FM Szijjarto pointed out that five Hungarian citizens were taken prisoner, three of whom have already made it home, a fourth is unfortunately no longer alive, and the fifth is likely still alive and will hopefully be released as soon as possible. "The third point of our position is that civilian lives must be spared. We find it quite simply unacceptable, and we also find it cowardly and despicable, that terrorist organizations use civilians as shields and for protection. This is unacceptable and we sincerely hope that the lives of civilians will be safeguarded as much as possible," he said. The fourth point, he noted, is that everything possible must be done to prevent escalation and the spreading of the conflict, which could set the whole region aflame.

In the press release, Israel Katz thanked the Hungarian government for its support, adding that Hungary is a true friend of Israel and that the relationship between the two countries is based on respect. He called the country's stand against anti-Semitism exemplary. "I wish that the fight against anti-Semitism that this country is waging could also be seen in Western Europe and the rest of the world," the foreign minister of Israel said.

Cover photo: Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto (right) in talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz (left) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Budapest on June 17, 2024 (Photo: MTI/Robert Hegedus)