Israeli Ambassador to Hungary Maya Kadosh spoke with Arutz Sheva about the large number of Israelis visiting Budapest during the summer and holiday season, Hungary’s approach to antisemitism, and relations with the country’s new government.
Kadosh said that Hebrew can be heard throughout the Hungarian capital as Israelis continue to choose Budapest as a vacation destination.
“It’s really nice to be able to walk in the street and hear Hebrew. Everywhere you go, in the malls, in the shops, in the restaurants, I can hear friends from Israel," she said.
She noted that tourists from around the world are also flocking to Budapest, which she attributed both to the city’s attractions and to its security.
“Budapest is a great destination, both because it’s a beautiful city, but also because it’s very safe."
Asked how Hungary has managed to maintain that sense of security at a time when Jewish communities elsewhere in Europe and around the world are facing growing concerns, Kadosh pointed to the Hungarian government’s zero-tolerance policy.
“They don’t want to see the Jews in ghettos. They want to see the Jews living in the city safely," she said. “They want to see the tourists in the city being able to dress the way they want, to eat whatever they want, have access to synagogues, to restaurants, to facilities they need. And they are very committed to that."
Kadosh also addressed pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Hungary. While such protests have remained relatively small, she expressed concern over their messages, particularly when demonstrators voice support for figures Israel identifies with terrorist organizations.
“The last demonstration here supported Dr. Hossein Abu Safiya, who is a colonel in Hamas that ran a hospital, but he ran it as a terrorist base," Kadosh said. “So we don’t like this demonstration."
She added that the demonstrations have failed to attract significant support among Hungarians.
“We are very glad to see that the Hungarian public is not falling for his lies. At the end of the day, there are like 30 or 40 people in his demonstration, while there are hundreds that support the Israeli cause. And I hope that if we won’t give him too much attention, he will disappear."
Kempinski also asked about antisemitism on the other end of the political spectrum, particularly the growth of the far right and antisemitic rhetoric online.
Kadosh said the political changes surrounding Fidesz have created an opening for the far-right Mi Hazánk party.
“We see a rise in the Mi Hazánk party, which is the far-right party. And they have antisemitic rhetoric that we don’t like," she said.
The ambassador stressed that Israel is not ignoring the phenomenon and is working with Hungarian authorities to address it.
“It’s not only that we don’t like it. We operate together with the government to see what’s the best possible solution for that," she said, citing education, law enforcement and intelligence as areas of cooperation. “It’s definitely not something that we are quiet about."
Turning to relations between Israel and Hungary following the change of government, Kadosh expressed confidence that the close relationship between the two countries would continue.
She pointed to the new prime minister’s attendance at a Holocaust memorial ceremony on his second day following the election, together with senior members of his government, as an indication of its approach.
“That shows the commitment of the local government to the Jews, to Israel," she said.
According to Kadosh, the new prime minister has also declared Israel-Hungary relations to be strategic.
“We are fully aware of the intentions of the new government to build these relations on concrete economic cooperation, tourism cooperation," she said. “And we look forward to that."