Israel welcomes controversial Hungarian PM Orban amid criticism

The Foreign Ministry welcomes controversial Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban as he arrives at Ben Gurion airport for a visit that has drawn criticism from Israeli politicians and Jewish groups.

The statement says the two-day visit will promote bilateral ties, strengthen European support for Israel and increase cooperation in combating anti-Semitism.

Orban’s visit has provoked concern in Israel over allegations he has stoked anti-Semitism in Hungary with nationalist rhetoric and a campaign against US Jewish billionaire philanthropist George Soros.

Seeking to mitigate the mounting criticism, the Foreign Ministry in its statement notes that Orban has “pledged to defend Hungary’s Jewish community and has expressed regret over Hungary’s actions during the Holocaust.”