The Hungarian government will fund an institute to research anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiments among radical leftist and Islamic circles in Europe, a senior Hungarian government official told Israel Hayom on Tuesday.
"Hungary is very concerned over the renewed rise of anti-Semitism in Europe," said Szabolcs Takács, state secretary for European Union Affairs in the Hungarian Prime Minister's Office.
Takács spoke to Israel Hayom following a two-day visit to Israel during which he met with senior officials in the Prime Minister's Office and Foreign Ministry.
"This [anti-Semitism] is a problem that needs to be fought. There is what's known as 'traditional anti-Semitism,' but there are also new characteristics among anarchists on the extreme Left and within radical Islam," Takács said.
"This atmosphere is in many cases anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic, including the erasure of elements pertaining to the Holocaust, and we don't want this in Europe."
Takács is responsible for his country's relations with the EU, which has often clashed with the Hungarian government headed by Prime Minister Viktor Orban. One reason for the tensions is Hungary's refusal to fall in line with the critical stance many EU bodies have assumed toward Israel.
Takács stressed that his country is interested in close cooperation with Israel, and would not agree to double standards against the Jewish state.
"Hungary is following with concern the double standards toward Israel and the anti-Israel atmosphere, as expressed through the various declarations and decisions by international organizations. Israel is an important friend of ours, and we are working together to preserve this," Takács said.
While in Israel, Takács updated Israeli officials on his government's desire to move the Memorial Museum of Hungarian Speaking Jewry from Safed in northern Israel to Herzliya in central Israel.
"The Jewish community contributed immensely to Hungary for hundreds of years, and we want more people to know about this. I've been to Israel many times, and this time I also visited Safed, where the museum for Hungarian Jews is located," he said.
"We are in negotiations with the Herzliya municipality to move the museum there, so that the world and Israeli public become better aware of what Hungarian Jewry has contributed to Hungary and Israel."
Q: According to reports, the goal of the new Holocaust museum the Hungarian government wants to build in Budapest is to alter the narrative and minimize the role of Hungarians in the persecution and deportation of Jews during World War II. What is the nature of the museum?
Takács: "I completely reject these allegations. There is no attempt whatsoever to change the narrative or history. This is distorted coverage stemming from political motives. In Budapest, there is already a museum to commemorate the Holocaust, which was established in 2001, during Orban's first term in office. In Hungary's education system, Holocaust studies are incorporated on all levels. Hungary marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The government gives budgetary support to all streams of the Jewish community, including for the preservation of [Jewish] cemeteries and synagogue development.
"We are proud that in Hungary the [Jewish] community is safe and none of its members are at risk, which cannot be said about other places in Europe. During Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Hungary a year and a half ago, Prime Minister Orban made it clear that Hungary – the country's authorities and certain individuals – were responsible for what happened [during World War II], that Hungary did not protect its Jews. Hence, Hungary has accepted responsibility, even though there was no collective sin. Hungary has joined the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.
"As for the new place, it's not exactly a museum, rather an educational center geared toward the younger generation. In light of the concerns that have been expressed, we have invited experts of all types. One thing I can promise: There is no alteration of the narrative and there is no hidden agenda."
