Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said the Hungarian government’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict is “clear and unchanged”.
In a Facebook post, Minister Szijjártó said he had told Amichai Chikli, Israel’s minister for the diaspora, that Hungary “condemns the Hamas terrorist organization’s attack on Israel in the strongest possible way and recognizes Israel’s right to defend itself.” He added that the success of the fight against terrorism was in the interest not only of Israel but that of the international community. Hungary is committed to a “responsible migration policy … that ensures security to all religious communities in the country,” the minister said. “Unlike most countries in western Europe, Hungary has not seen a revival of modern-age anti-Semitism and we will not allow that to happen in the future,” he said. Szijjártó said he was proud that “one of the largest Jewish communities in central Europe lives in peace and calm in Hungary, preserving its identity, traditions, and religion.” The minister said Hungary would do everything possible to secure the release of the only remaining Hungarian citizen among the people taken hostage by Hamas.