Israel-Hungary relations

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban prays at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City during his visit to Israel on July 20, 2018. (AFP/Menahem Kahana)

July 20, 2018, 1:10 pm

Hungary’s Orban visits Western Wall to wrap up Israel trip

Ending brief, controversial visit, Hungarian prime minister places note in cracks of Jerusalem holy site, learns history of Temple Mount

By AFP and TOI staff

Israeli protesters hold signs by as people block the road for the convoy of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on July 19, 2018 at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial museum in Jerusalem (AFP PHOTO / GALI TIBBON)

July 19, 2018, 7:22 pm

Livid protesters block Hungarian PM Orban as he leaves Yad Vashem

Demonstrators shout ‘shame on you’ in anger at leader for apparent embrace of anti-Semitic elements, and at Holocaust memorial for hosting him

By TOI staff

President Rivlin, right, hosts Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in his official Jerusalem residence, July 19, 2018 (Avi Kanner)

July 19, 2018, 4:20 pm

In unsubtle dig, Rivlin warns visiting Hungarian PM of ‘neo-facism’

Fascist groups a ‘real danger’ to the free world, president tells Viktor Orban; also praises his support of Israel and efforts to fight anti-Semitism

By Raphael Ahren

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a joint press conference with his Hungarian counterpart, Viktor Orban, at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, on July 19, 2018 (Marc Israel Sellem/POOL)

July 19, 2018, 12:01 pm

In Israel, hard-right Hungarian PM hails himself and Netanyahu as ‘patriots’

Meeting with the premier, Viktor Orban celebrates ‘excellent ties,’ vows ‘zero tolerance’ for anti-Semitism, claims Jew-hatred declining in Eastern Europe while rising in the West

By Raphael Ahren

Minister Ofir Akunis, right, greets Viktor Orban, center, and his wife Aniko Levai at Ben-Gurion Airport on July 18, 2018. (Foreign Ministry)

July 18, 2018, 7:42 pm

In rare move, Foreign Ministry fetes Hungary’s Orban as he arrives in Israel

Ministry touts visit as promoting bilateral ties, hails prime minister for combating anti-Semitism despite criticism over his praise for Nazi-era leader and anti-Soros campaign

By TOI staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban give a joint press conference at the parliament in Budapest, Hungary, on July 18, 2017 (AFP PHOTO / HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE AND POOL / KAROLY ARVAI)

July 18, 2018, 5:49 pm

‘Shame!’ Opposition MKs cry foul as Hungarian PM visits

Lawmakers protest Israel trip by Viktor Orban, who has praised a former Nazi ally and launched a campaign against George Soros

By TOI staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (L) hold a Rubik's Cube at the Hungary-Israel Business Forum in Budapest, Hungary, on July 19, 2017. (Haim Zach/GPO/Flash90)

July 18, 2018, 7:17 am

Hungary’s controversial Orban to begin two-day Israel visit Wednesday

Hungarian PM will visit Yad Vashem and Western Wall, as well as meet with Netanyahu in a sign of burgeoning ties between the two leaders

By TOI staff

July 13, 2018, 5:38 am

Fans of Orban or not, Hungarian Jews are optimistic ahead of PM’s Israel visit

In a fractured Jewish community, Israel’s crumbling relations with the Diaspora and local anti-Semitism are on Hungarian Jewry’s mind as PM sets off to Israel on July 18

By Yaakov Schwartz

June 28, 2018, 12:28 am

Hungary’s controversial Orban to make first trip to Israel next month

PM, who is at odds with local Jewish community, hosts Israel’s national security adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat in Budapest, discusses strengthening ties

By TOI staff and AFP

Márton Gyöngyösi is vice chairman of Hungary's parliamentary foreign affairs committee and head of international affairs for the Jobbik party. (Courtesy)

April 7, 2018, 9:19 am

Jobbik leader says Jews should trust the radical Hungarian party’s ‘rebranding’

Márton Gyöngyösi, who himself once said Israel was ‘running on a ‘Nazi system,’ insists ahead of Hungary’s contentious elections that his party is no longer racist

By Yaakov Schwartz

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara at the shoes memorial for Holocaust victims on the bank of the Danube in Budapest, July 20, 2017. (GPO)

July 20, 2017, 5:26 pm

‘Never again,’ declares Netanyahu at Hungarian Holocaust memorial

Prime minister visits ‘Shoes on the Danube’ site, places a small stone brought with him from Jerusalem

By TOI staff

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, in the garden of Dohany Street Synagogue in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, July 19, 2017. (Zoltan Mathe/MTI via AP)

July 20, 2017, 1:45 am

Decrying ‘betrayal,’ Hungary Jews say Netanyahu ignoring them

Highlighting rare chilly reception, community leaders ask why Israeli PM focused speech at Budapest JCC on bilateral ties instead of addressing their concerns about anti-Semitism, status for non-Orthodox

By Raphael Ahren

Muslim worshipers shout slogans at the Lions Gate, outside the Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City, on July 19, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

July 19, 2017, 7:57 pm

Netanyahu says Israel won’t remove Temple Mt. metal detectors for now

PM holds telephone consultations with security chiefs while on a visit to Hungary, says situation will be reevaluated

By Raphael Ahren and Dov Lieber

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during a ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Vel d'Hiv roundup in Paris on July 16, 2017. (AFP Photo/Pool/Kamil Zihnioglu)

July 19, 2017, 5:25 pm

Amid protests, Israel weighs taking down Temple Mt. metal detectors

Prime minister and security chiefs hold a telephone briefing as clashes between Muslim protesters and police continue

By Raphael Ahren and Dov Lieber

PM Netanyahu and the heads of state from Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Poland, in Budapest, July 19, 2017 (Haim Tzach/GPO)

July 19, 2017, 4:49 pm

Hungarian PM tells EU to improve its ties with Israel

Himself not a darling in Brussels, Viktor Orban urges European Union to restore ‘common sense’ in its policy toward Jerusalem

By Raphael Ahren