Why does the left-wing press relativize anti-Semitism? How do you assess the situation of Hungarian and Eastern European Jews? What is your opinion about Péter Magyar's statement that he would push the press staff into the Danube? What do you think about the arrest warrant issued against Netanyahu? Interview with Andorra Grósz, president of Mazsihisz.
One sometimes has the feeling that the left-wing press relativizes anti-Semitism and the events of the past few weeks, including the attack on Maccabi fans in Amsterdam. What could be behind this?
In recent weeks, anti-Jewish riots have taken place not only in Amsterdam, but also in several large cities in Europe, such as Berlin, Bologna, Milan, and we can say that we have reached a historic turning point. Because of the series of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel movements in Western Europe
Jewish people and communities are sometimes in direct danger to their lives.
These events starkly highlight how fragile our security is. If we look for the reason for the attacks, one of the main reasons is that Israel is judged negatively by a significant part of the Western European press, and the conflict in the Middle East is broadcast unilaterally. Despite the attack on the Jewish State on October 7, 2023, the country is still fighting for its existence, and European public opinion is tuned against Israel by the media and some international organizations.
Another reason is that the governments of individual countries do not provide an adequate response to the rise of anti-Semitism, and sometimes make statements condemning Israel, such as Spain, Ireland or Norway. Lack of information, misinterpreted solidarity, and visceral anti-Semitism are the factors that prevent clarity, and among other things, they led to the development and escalation of the situation. And the Jews living in the diaspora feel the consequences on their own skin.
Since the terrorist attack on October 7 last year, attacks on Jewish communities have increased drastically in Europe as well. What is still fueling these actions?
In addition to all that I mentioned above, the reasons behind the attacks may include the fact that, according to surveys, around 60 percent of Muslims living in Western Europe - this number varies somewhat from country to country - sympathize with Hamas. This is primarily true of economic refugees who did not face terror in their home country and migrated to another country for financial reasons. In order to get a complete picture, it should be added that there are many Muslims living in Western Europe who fled from the activities of Hamas. However, it is certain that the issue of immigration has become a central issue everywhere in Europe, and politics must deal with it.
The fact that Jews can live in peace in Hungary is also due to the fact that migration in our country is minimal.
How can Jewish communities defend themselves against these? As a denomination, Mazsihisz is not involved in daily political events, it is above them, but we react very sensitively to hate speech, hate crimes and anti-Semitic movements affecting the Jewish community and minorities: we act immediately and decisively in all such situations, especially when it concerns the safety of the Jewish people weave.
After the attacks in Amsterdam, Mazsihisz requested immediate action from the European Union.
We will do everything we can to ensure that the EU takes the strongest possible law enforcement measures and the most decisive action against crimes and incitement of hatred that can still be stopped today.
We must increase the protection of our communities in all countries where Jewry is threatened. From this point of view, Hungary is an island in Europe, as Hungarian Jews can live safely thanks to zero tolerance. Despite this, we requested and received increased security measures from the Hungarian government here as well, and we also strengthened our own security service.
In our resolution issued after the attacks in Amsterdam, we also pointed out that in European cities chanting anti-Israel and anti-Semitic slogans and
the increasingly violent crowd poses a threat not only to the Jewish community, but also to the entire European civilization.
We believe it is important that the press increasingly strives for balanced information, presenting the positions of both sides, not uncritically accepting statements from international organizations under the influence of Hamas, and giving space to the Israeli position as well.
How do you assess the situation of Hungarian and Eastern European Jews?
Nowadays, there is a difference in this aspect regarding the situation in Western and Eastern Europe. This determines the situation of Hungarian Jews. Our country is an exception when it comes to riots and demonstrations. Thanks to zero tolerance, Hungarian Jews are currently safe. If we feel that the normal life of the community is in even the smallest degree of danger, we will speak out and act decisively. The government and Mazsihisz cooperate closely in order to guarantee the safety of Hungarian Jews.
The clear position of the country's leadership is that it does not allow pro-Hamas demonstrations in Hungary.
Last time, before the League of Nations match between Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina, pro-Palestine supporters marched through the Jewish Quarter of Budapest, accompanied by police, we asked the Minister of the Interior for an immediate consultation. After that, the government confirmed that it adheres to the principle of zero tolerance, and since then the Ministry of the Interior is paying even more attention to prevent similar phenomena from occurring.
Can the coming into office of the Trump cabinet directly or indirectly improve the conditions prevailing in Europe?
It should be noted, according to surveys
the vast majority of the American public is in favor of Israel, regardless of the person of the president.
The president-elect takes over the leadership of the USA in a very complex and complicated situation. We sincerely hope that there will be positive changes in terms of the fight against anti-Semitism and the perception of Israel under the new presidency, and this will have an impact in Europe as well.
What is your opinion about Péter Magyar's statement that he would "throw the press staff into the Danube"?
As I mentioned above, the Mazsihis sect does not get involved in daily politics. However, we emphasize to all political actors, regardless of party affiliation, that words carry weight.
When introduced into political public discourse, the turns that evoke tragedies that began with the words themselves are particularly dangerous.
What does the fact that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Hungary tell the Jewish community and international diplomacy?
Mazsihisz's position is that what happened in The Hague is a mockery of law and justice. We agree with the opinion of Israeli President Jichák Herzog, who called the decision of the International Criminal Court outrageous and in bad faith.
Under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoáv Galant, soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) went into battle to protect the state of Israel and the Jewish people due to the inhumane attack of the terrorist organization Hamas on October 7 last year.
In terms of the existence of the state of Israel and the security of the Jewish diaspora, it could have unforeseeable serious consequences if any country enforces this decision.
If those who acted in defense of the Jewish State against terrorists are indeed arrested, then the enemies of Jewry and Israel will draw the conclusion that the justice system of the Western world has sided with the terrorists. It is therefore our firm opinion that everything must be done with the tools of diplomacy to prevent the execution of the arrest warrant of the Hague Criminal Court. Mazsihisz appreciates the diplomatic move that Viktor Orbán was the first among European countries to send an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in this situation.
Featured image: Dr. Andor Grósz, president of Mazsihisz. Photo: Mazsihisz press
