Orbán government’s unwavering support for Israel continues amid EU pressure

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s support for Israel’s actions in Gaza continues unabated.

In the last week of August, Orbán suggested that if the proportion of Muslim voters in a country increases relative to Jewish voters, that country’s government will pursue a “pro-Palestinian and pro-Islamic” policy, after which “Jews will have to pack up and leave the country.”

The Prime Minister appeared as a guest on the YouTube program Warriors’ Hour, answering questions about migration, Israel, and the situation of Jews in Europe.

During a discussion about migration and France’s desire to recognize a Palestinian state, Orbán warned that migration poses two main risks. According to him, one is “terror and crime,” and the other is its impact on “democratic” systems.

Explaining his view on the ratio of Muslim and Jewish voters, the Hungarian leader stated, “That’s how math works, that’s how democracy works, and the Jews will have to pack up and go,” further suggesting that this is already happening in many Western European countries.

Orbán described the two-state solution as an “illusion,” stating that an independent Palestinian state could only be considered if both sides recognized each other.

The Hungarian leader said this is not the case today, as Israel opposes a two-state solution due to “security concerns.” He remarked, “As long as neither party recognizes the other, there is nothing to talk about. Therefore, I think that keeping the two-state solution on the agenda prevents the kind of agreements that could otherwise be reached. It means keeping an illusion alive that reduces or completely prevents cooperation under the current circumstances. That is why I am cautious on this issue.”

Israel’s Ambassador to Hungary, Maya Kadosh, also expressed her thanks to Viktor Orbán on her social media account, saying, “Thank you for your clear and courageous stance, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán!”

This issue was also a main topic at the government-backed MCC Fest held in Esztergom in August, during a panel discussion moderated by Fanni Surjányi, Director of the MCC Middle East Research Project. The panel featured Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, Actionable Consultancy Director Mzahem Alsaloum, Middle East expert and researcher Nir Boms from Tel Aviv University’s Moshe Dayan Center, and former British Army commander Richard Kemp.

The Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister, who was visiting Hungary to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries, criticized French President Emmanuel Macron’s intention to recognize a Palestinian state, saying it “encourages terrorists.”

Haskel, who also served in the military, described the war as “terrible” and warned Macron, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and walking down this path can lead to terrible consequences.”

Haskel explained that the war in Gaza could end in only one way: “When Hamas releases the approximately 50 Israeli hostages it has held in torture chambers since the terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023.”

The Israeli official had warned that “bowing to the demands of terrorists will only lead to more violence.”

According to the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister, this conflict was not a territorial war but a “religious war against radical Islamist ideology,” which Western leaders like Macron did not understand.

In her view, Hamas is fighting against “universal Western values,” leaving Israel with no option but to defend itself.

Arguing that Israel constantly turns crises into strength, the Israeli official added, “These are all opportunities, even the terrible attack on October 7; because this attack enabled the international community to free Lebanon and Syria from Iran’s influence. We must seize this opportunity.”

In July, Hungary was among the countries that most strongly opposed the EU’s desire to take action against Israel’s attempt to annex the West Bank.

Despite growing support among several EU member states for tougher measures, a group of countries led by Hungary, including Germany and the Czech Republic, repeatedly resisted any punitive measures against Israel.

Hungary, in particular, acts as Israel’s closest ally within the EU, regularly vetoing joint statements and measures critical of Israeli policy.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó had indicated before the EU foreign ministers’ meeting in July that there would be strong pressure in Brussels to impose sanctions on Israeli settlers.

Despite this, the foreign minister said it would be the wrong decision because now is the “time for dialogue and diplomacy, not sanctions.”

Szijjártó concluded, “Hungary’s interest is to reach a ceasefire and a hostage agreement as soon as possible. This will ensure the release of the Hungarian hostage held by Hamas, Omri Miran.”

The Hungarian Foreign Minister had previously told his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar, that his government would push for the intensification of the EU-Israel Association Council’s work in the spirit of the importance of dialogue.

The minister also added that Hungary would continue to oppose the EU’s inclusion of Israeli individuals on its sanctions list.

The Orbán government also did not enforce the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In April, Orbán hosted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Budapest, describing Israel as the “mainstay of the Middle East.”