"Stop the fake news that Hungary is anti-Semitic," writes Lee Cohen for the American Spectator.
Next week, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will make his first visit to the state of Israel. Cohen writes that this symbolic and diplomatic event should bring closure to the myth that Hungary is anti-Semitic. Instead of derision and conjecture, Orbán deserves praise for his zero-tolerance policy on anti-Semitism and commitment to protecting all Hungarian citizens, including Hungary’s Jews, Cohen adds.
One year ago, PM Orbán laid out in the clearest of terms his rejection of anti-Semitism and his desire for an enhanced Hungary-Israel relationship. Cohen writes that the prime minister took Netanyahu’s visit as an opportunity to apologize for Hungary’s role in the Holocaust nearly 80 years ago, stating that “Hungary erred and sinned when it cooperated with the Nazis and did not protect its Jews during World War II” and further made clear that his government will guarantee the security of the country’s Jewish minority and that it has “zero tolerance for anti-Semitism.”
While Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, underscored Hungary’s partnership with Israel in a recent statement: “Bilateral relations between Hungary and Israel have never been as good as they are now.”
Minister Szijjártó even positioned Hungary as one of the world’s defenders of Israel in International forums:
“Achieving a balanced approach towards Israel on the part of the international community is one of the focal points of Hungarian foreign policy.”
And these are not mere words, Cohen writes. Hungary consistently proves through actions its resolve to tackle anti-Semitism within its borders as well as its friendship with Israel.
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