Thursday May 15, 2025
NEWSLETTER
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
Home News

Hungarian PM to visit Israel, but only deputy to visit PA

by  Ariel Kahana and ILH Staff
Published on  07-17-2018 00:00
Last modified: 03-29-2021 13:29
Hungarian PM to visit Israel, but only deputy to visit PA

Prime Minister Netanyahu and Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán in Budapest

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

In a sign of burgeoning diplomatic ties, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will arrive in Israel on Wednesday for an official visit as a guest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Orbán is expected to visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem and meet with the country's chief rabbis.

Orbán, whose country is a member of the European Union, is spearheading a contrarian line within the organization – which is one reason for the warming relations between Israel and Hungary and the respective leaders.

Israel Hayom has learned that unlike other EU leaders who have visited Israel, Orbán will not visit the Palestinian Authority. As a small diplomatic token, however, he will send his deputy, Zsolt Semjén, to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in Judea and Samaria.

This will not be Hungary's first gesture toward Israel under Orbán. In late 2017, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini pushed for an EU resolution to condemn the American decision to relocate the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Mogherini attempted to pass the resolution through the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU, but Orbán instructed Hungary's representative to oppose it, essentially torpedoing the initiative.

Orbán, who recently won his country's general elections with a landslide, has been attacked by liberal circles in Western Europe and the United States. Among other allegations, Orbán is accused of being anti-Semitic. Amnesty International on Monday even called for Orbán to be barred from visiting Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem.

Rabbi Shlomo Kovesh, who manages Budapest's Chabad House and maintains a close relationship with Orbán, however, said the Hungarian leader has a favorable view of Jews.

"In Hungary, there isn't any actual physical anti-Semitism. You can be a religious Jew without concern and without having to hide your kippah," said Kovesh. "On one hand, there is immense support here from the government for any Jewish issue, which amounts to tens of millions of euros per year. On the other, any display of anti-Semitism is immediately investigated by the police and the perpetrators are tried in court," he added.

According to Kovesh, Netanyahu's trip to Hungary in July 2017 had an exceedingly positive influence on Orbán and the countries' relations.

"After that visit, Orbán spoke glowingly about Israel on several occasions, and even said, 'Israel is a positive example for Hungary.' The fact that he chose [to name] the Jewish country of all places testifies to his attitude toward the Jews," Kovesh said.

Related Posts

Israel bracing for a 'nightmare scenario' in Trump visitReuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Israel bracing for a 'nightmare scenario' in Trump visit

by Shirit Avitan Cohen

Jerusalem on edge as Trump hints at breakthrough in Iran talks, which could result in deal as early as this...

'Wounds all over his body': Father of Edan Alexander shares captivity horrorsReuters/GPO

'Wounds all over his body': Father of Edan Alexander shares captivity horrors

by Miri Weissman

"He was this goofy, funny guy. He’s still funny. I don’t think he’s a different person. He is simply tired,"...

'A hand that shakes the hand of your murderer': Alawites criticize US-Syria relationsBandar Aljaloud/Saudi Royal Palace/ AP

'A hand that shakes the hand of your murderer': Alawites criticize US-Syria relations

by Shachar Kleiman

While some Syrians celebrated President Donald Trump's announcement to lift American sanctions, others are expressing deep concerns about an uncertain...

Menu

Analysis 

Archaeology

Blogpost

Business & Finance

Culture

Exclusive

Explainer

Environment

 

Features

Health

In Brief

Jewish World

Judea and Samaria

Lifestyle

Cyber & Internet

Sports

 

Diplomacy 

Iran & The Gulf

Gaza Strip

Politics

Shopping

Terms of use

Privacy Policy

Submissions

Contact Us

About Us

The first issue of Israel Hayom appeared on July 30, 2007. Israel Hayom was founded on the belief that the Israeli public deserves better, more balanced and more accurate journalism. Journalism that speaks, not shouts. Journalism of a different kind. And free of charge.

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

  • Home
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

Newsletter

[contact-form-7 id=”508379″ html_id=”isrh_form_Newsletter_en” title=”newsletter_subscribe”]

  • Home
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il