Brief
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán claimed this week that Jewish communities in Budapest are safer than anywhere else in Europe. His comments come as a report from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) highlights a troubling rise in antisemitic incidents across the continent.
In a post on X, Orbán stated, “There is zero tolerance for antisemitism, no hate crimes, and no violent migrants,” asserting this is how a modern European capital should be. Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli backed his statements, calling Budapest one of the safest cities for Jewish communities in Europe.
Chikli also noted that Hungary had agreed to host a Zionist Youth Congress after the Swiss city of Basel declined the request. He praised Hungary’s immigration policy, which he believes acknowledges the threats posed by radical Islam, coupled with the government’s strong stance against antisemitism.
According to the ADL’s recent report, antisemitism has surged alarmingly in Europe, especially after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The report indicates a significant increase in harassment, vandalism, and violence against Jewish individuals throughout various countries.
Antisemitic incidents have notably risen in France, Germany, and the UK, leading many Jews to feel unsafe displaying their religious symbols. The ADL pointed out that Jewish institutions across Europe now require increased security measures, as antisemitism becomes more normalized in public conversations.
Hungary is home to Central Europe’s largest Jewish community, with estimates between 80,000 to 100,000, many residing in Budapest. Responses from Jewish leaders in Hungary vary, with some lauding government efforts to restore synagogues and support Jewish culture, while others express concerns over nationalist sentiments and contentious historical narratives surrounding Hungary’s actions during the Holocaust.
Before World War II, Hungary had one of the largest Jewish populations in Europe, estimated at around 825,000. Tragically, the Holocaust resulted in the murder of about 564,000 Hungarian Jews.
Orbán’s administration has consistently denied claims of antisemitism, citing its strong ties with Israel and its opposition to antisemitic violence. Hungarian officials often draw comparisons between Budapest and Western European cities, where Jewish institutions now face serious threats and protests linked to the Gaza conflict have sometimes turned violent.
The ADL warns that negative narratives surrounding Jewish people are spreading across Europe’s political landscape and online platforms, contributing to a growing sense of insecurity in countries that were once considered safe havens for Jewish life.
