It is an election year in Hungary. This means, of course, that we will read more about Hungary in the press than usual, and as we already know from experience, the criticism will necessarily include accusations of anti-Semitism - pointed out Zoltán Kovács in his opinion article published in the Jerusalem Post

According to the information of the state secretary responsible for international communication and relations, an opinion article has already been published in the past few days, in which it was claimed that the Hungarian government used the support provided to Israel to cover up anti-Semitism. However, according to Zoltán Kovács, this statement could not be further from the truth, since the governments led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán have done more than ever before to confront this hideous prejudice and support the Jewish community in Hungary.

In this regard, the State Secretary recalled:

  • In 2012, the parliament led by Fidesz enacted a new constitution called the Basic Law, which recognizes Hungarian Jewry as an inseparable part of the Hungarian nation.
  • In 2001, the first Orbán government founded the Holocaust Museum and at the same time introduced the national day of remembrance for the victims of the Hungarian Holocaust.
  • Holocaust education was included in the core curriculum and pensions for Holocaust survivors were increased.
  • The current government has made outstanding provisions in Europe regarding the punishment of Holocaust denial, hate speech and the use of hateful symbols.
  • The Prime Minister introduced zero tolerance against anti-Semitism and successfully eliminated the paramilitary groups that intimidated the Jewish and Roma population.
  • Against the ever-increasing trend of banning kosher slaughter in Europe, Hungary was the only one to raise its voice for the protection of religious freedom and religious practice, which are inseparable from the future of Jewish life on the continent.
  • The government provided funds for the reconstruction of synagogues and Jewish cemeteries, and as part of a significant development of Jewish institutions, a new synagogue was built again in Budapest after eighty years.
  • Viktor Orbán was the first Hungarian Prime Minister to publicly admit that Hungary was guilty of the Holocaust, since Hungary sinned when it did not protect its Jewish citizens.
  • Regarding support for Israel: under the leadership of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Hungary is among the most loyal supporters of Israel's sovereignty and independence - he detailed the measures of the governing parties.

Zoltán Kovács further pointed out: when the author refers to the terrible prejudice that Hungary uses the support provided to Israel to cover up anti-Semitism, he is actually referring to the criticism of György Soros. However, according to his words, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the governments he led never referred to György Soros' Jewish roots. Interestingly, Soros himself speaks little about this, instead emphasizing his American identity, he added.

- Those who argue in favor of Soros try to use the Jewish card against those who dare to oppose Soros' pro-immigration, radical, open society program. This is a weak, groundless argument that deliberately ignores or tries to divert attention from the fact that György Soros is a political actor with a radical political program, the state secretary noted. In this regard, Zoltán Kovács stated: Soros and the network of non-governmental organizations supported by him do not have the democratic authority to implement the ideology-driven program of the pseudo-philanthropist in Hungary, especially when it comes to such serious matters as the pro-immigrant program to implement.

You can read the full article in Magyar Nemzet

Image: Magyar Hírlap