Israeli official: Hungary not ready to face Holocaust role

Budapest’s ambassador tells media that foreign ministry said country was unwilling to confront past

Thousands of people attend a protest called Mass Demonstration Against Nazism, in front of the Parliament building in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, Dec. 2 (photo credit: AP/MTI, Laszlo Beliczay)
Thousands of people attend a protest called Mass Demonstration Against Nazism, in front of the Parliament building in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, Dec. 2 (photo credit: AP/MTI, Laszlo Beliczay)

BUDAPEST — Israel’s foreign ministry accused Hungary of not being ready to face its role in the Holocaust.

Hungarian Ambassador to Israel Andor Nagy told the Hungarian media over the weekend that Rafi Schultz, deputy director for European Affairs at Israel’s foreign ministry, told Nagy that there were doubts in Israel over

Hungary’s willingness to confront its past in a “direct and brave manner.” Nagy was summoned to Israel’s foreign ministry on February 13. Schultz questioned Nagy about the official Hungarian position on several issues, including Hungary’s observance of the 70th anniversary of the Holocaust, and the growing anti-Semitism in the country.

The main Hungarian Jewish umbrella group, Mazsihisz, said in a decision issued early last week that it would “stay away” from the government’s Holocaust year events over plans to build a memorial to the German occupation, controversial remarks by the director of a government-sponsored research institute and the government’s refusal to share plans or involve Mazsihisz in building a second Holocaust museum in Budapest.

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.