Hungarian president assures Netanyahu of his opposition to anti-Semitism

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosted Hungarian President Janos Ader in Jerusalem on Tuesday in a visit that calmed irritation at perceived anti-Semitic trends among some politicians in Hungary.

The two leaders discussed advancing bilateral relations, Iran’s race to develop nuclear weapons, the unrest in the Middle East, ways to advance the negotiations with the Palestinians, and anti-Semitism.

“There is concern in Israel and the Jewish world over a resurgence of anti-Semitism in Hungary,” Netanyahu said. “Such a dangerous phenomenon must be uprooted before it can spread.”

Ader responded by underscoring his firm opposition to any manifestation of anti-Semitism.

At the end of the meeting, Ader invited Netanyahu to visit Hungary.

The visit follows an awkward period in relations between Israel and Hungary after several prominent Hungarian politicians attended a memorial service in May honoring Nazi collaborator, author and parliamentarian Jozsef Nyiro.

The incident prompted Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin to cancel a planned visit by his Hungarian counterpart Laszlo Kover, who had attended the memorial event.

However, according to Haaretz, four years ago Ader unveiled a statue honoring another controversial figure from the Holocaust years, Albert Wass, an anti-Semitic author accused of murdering Jews.