Politics

(Communicated by the President’s Spokesperson)

President Isaac Herzog, on a state visit to Hungary, met today (Tuesday, 18 February 2025), with Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok.

After their meeting, they delivered statements to the press.

President Isaac Herzog: “Thank you very much, my friend, Mr. President, for the invitation to come here and for the warm welcome. I would like to extend my greetings on behalf of myself and the people of Israel.

Mr. President, in the year and a half since the horrific massacre of October 7, Hungary has stood by Israel, and I deeply appreciate that. Hungary has demonstrated deep friendship and has refused to bow to the powerful wave of antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and anti-Israel sentiment sweeping the world.

Hungary’s support has included concrete actions: issued a strong response against the disgraceful ICC decision, you have backed Israel in international forums, and, of course, supported  the struggle to bring home the Israeli hostages from Gaza. So thank you—thank you to you, your government, and the people of Hungary for your support. This is the moment when the friendship between nations is truly tested.

The bond between the Jewish people and the Hungarian people is long-standing and historical. Hungarian Jewry is one of the most distinguished Jewish communities in the world, with deep historical roots and, of course, a magnificent community of Hungarian-origin Jews in Israel. The horrors of October 7 and their aftermath have also affected this community in Israel.

As we discussed just moments ago, we are joined here by the family of Omri Miran, an Israeli-Hungarian who was abducted from his home on October 7 and has been held cruelly by the Hamas terror organization in Gaza for over 500 days—an atrocious crime against humanity. His father, Danny, his sister, Naama, and his wife, Lishi, are here with us. We had a deeply moving conversation with them. Together with the entire people of Israel, we all want to see Omri return home, along with every single one of the hostages. We all hope that the deal will be fully realized, in all its phases, and that Omri will soon return home.

Once again, I cry out to the world—to demand the immediate release of all the hostages who are enduring hell underground in Gaza. We will not rest and will not relent until they all return.

We are also joined by Aharon Shevo, his wife, and his daughter. Aharon was born in Hungary and survived the Holocaust as an infant. After making Aliyah, he became an inspiring graphic designer. He is here today with his wife and daughter, Michal, whose son, Staff Sergeant (Res.) Malkia Gross, fell heroically while defending Israel in the war. We had a heartfelt conversation about the immense pain that carries across generations, but also about hope and resilience.

Over half a million Hungarian Jews were murdered in the Holocaust by the Nazis and their collaborators—hundreds of thousands of them in Auschwitz, whose liberation we marked 80 years ago last month. Hungarian Jewry was a magnificent, remarkable, and proud community—both Jewish and Hungarian—that was nearly wiped out.

Mr. President, I deeply appreciate your commitment to commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Holocaust of Hungarian Jewry last year. I thank you for your invitation to that event. I pray for the souls of those brutally murdered in that horrific genocide.

As we discussed—and as you so eloquently put it—the October 7 massacre echoes the antisemitism that plagued humanity in that terrible war. Antisemitism always finds its ‘reasons’—once Jews were accused of being capitalists, then of being communists or Bolsheviks. At one time, antisemites claimed Jews were an ‘inferior race’; today, they call them ‘white colonizers’.

In the past, Jews were hated for not having a state; today, they are hated for having one.

Tomorrow, I will visit the site where the home of Theodor Herzl, the visionary of the Jewish state and the founder of Zionism, once stood—more than three decades after my father, the late Chaim Herzog, the sixth President of Israel, became the first Israeli President to visit that place.

I want to express my deep appreciation, Mr. President, for your and your government’s absolute commitment to eradicating antisemitism. Your words are truly valuable. Together, we must persist in the crucial battle against this horrific phenomenon.

So, my dear friend, Mr. President, I thank you for the friendship between us and between our countries. Köszönöm a barátságukat. I look forward to strengthening the close ties between our nations. I hope to host you in Israel, and I was delighted that you accepted the invitation. I believe these strong ties will lead to many positive developments—economic, scientific, and cultural—that will realize the immense potential of the bond between the Hungarian and Israeli peoples. Thank you very much, and may we hear good news together.”

President of Hungary Tamás Sulyok: “Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, first and foremost, I would like to thank the President of the State of Israel for granting me the opportunity to meet with him, even in these difficult times, and to discuss in private the matters of great importance to both our countries.

The President and I see eye to eye on everything related to protecting our national borders, the independence of our nations, and issues concerning these matters. I believe that a strong Israel is essential not only for Israel’s security but also for Europe’s security and the fight against antisemitism.

As I have said before, we categorically reject what the Hamas terror organization did to Israel on October 7. We categorically reject the inhumane conditions in which the hostages are being held. Israel has the right to defend itself and to ensure the long-term security of its citizens.

Preserving and expanding the peace process initiated in the Middle East is a shared interest. I told the President that Hungary maintains zero tolerance for all forms of antisemitism.

I explained to the President that Israel can count on us as steadfast supporters. We will not only continue our support but also seek further cooperation with Israel.

Now and in the future, we will raise our voices against antisemitic rhetoric. It is important to us that the Jewish community feels safe here, especially given the alarming trends we have witnessed in Europe in recent years. We are committed to Holocaust remembrance—for the sake of future generations as well.

The dialogue between our countries remains open, including in education, research, and various collaborations, which we continue to deepen.

I hope our friendship will grow even stronger, and I am grateful for your visit.”