Israeli President Isaac Herzog met Hungarian President András Baka in Budapest on Tuesday, praising bilateral ties and Hungary’s commitment to protecting Jewish communities ahead of the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog arrived in Budapest on 20 October for a one-day visit, beginning with a meeting with Hungarian President András Baka at Sándor Palace. The two presidents held talks first in private and then in an expanded bilateral format before delivering joint statements to the press.
The visit comes just days before Hungary marks the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Herzog also highlighted the importance of strengthening ties with Hungary’s new leadership and said he looked forward to meeting Prime Minister Péter Magyar.
Afterwards, he met Magyar, who posted a photo on Facebook:
Herzog draws parallels between Hungarian and Israeli history
In his remarks, Herzog congratulated Baka on taking office and praised Hungary’s historic struggle for freedom and sovereignty.
He recalled how Hungarians rose against tyranny in 1956, saying the revolution demonstrated the courage, determination and faith required to achieve freedom. He added that Israel was familiar with this history, stressing that both nations had learnt that freedom and self-determination could never be taken for granted.
“Freedom and self-determination are values worth protecting and defending, even at significant cost,” Herzog said.
The Israeli president also referred to what he described as the ongoing terrorist threat originating from Iran and the extremism spread through its network of radical allies. Although these groups operate in the Middle East, he argued, their activities threaten the wider world.
Herzog said cooperation between nations committed to freedom was essential in confronting these threats.
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Israeli president praises Hungary’s role in bilateral ties
Herzog described Hungary as a friend and ally of Israel, highlighting its role in European politics and its contribution to promoting balanced and constructive relations between Israel and the European Union.
He said the two countries’ bilateral alliance had strengthened considerably over the past year, adding that they were working together to build a secure economic and technological future.
“We can undoubtedly learn a great deal from one another,” he said.
Herzog also welcomed the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Péter Magyar, expressing hope that the two countries could continue pursuing their shared vision of cooperation.
He congratulated Magyar on his election as prime minister, describing his rise to office as an expression of the vitality and dynamism of Hungarian democracy and the Hungarian nation.
Herzog welcomes Hungary’s zero-tolerance policy on antisemitism
A significant part of Herzog’s speech focused on the history of Jewish communities in Hungary and the importance of protecting Jewish life. He noted that Jewish communities had flourished in Hungary for centuries, making exceptional contributions to the country’s cultural, scientific, economic and public life.
However, he stressed that this history also included the devastating destruction of Hungarian Jewry during the Holocaust, which he described as a lasting warning to all. Herzog praised Hungary’s declared zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of antisemitism and its efforts to ensure the safety of Jewish communities.
He said the moral lessons drawn from history should serve as a compass for the present, underlining the importance of remembering the past while protecting Jewish life today.
Baka: Hungary remains a safe country for Jewish people
Hungarian President András Baka welcomed Herzog’s visit, saying it aimed to strengthen relations with Hungary’s new leadership and included participation in the Voice of the People conference, an initiative launched by the Israeli president and hosted in Budapest. Baka stressed that Hungary was a safe country for Jewish people and visitors from different backgrounds.
“Hungary condemns all forms of antisemitism in the strongest possible terms,” he said, reaffirming the country’s commitment to protecting Jewish communities and ensuring their security.
He added that Hungary consistently defended these principles at international forums. Baka also described relations between Hungary and Israel as friendly and stable, calling Israel an important economic partner. He said Hungary intended to continue pragmatic cooperation with the country in the coming years.
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Presidents recall the shared lessons of 1956
Baka also drew attention to the historical connections between Hungary and Israel, recalling that the Hungarian Revolution and the Suez Crisis took place simultaneously 70 years ago, shaping the international environment of the time. Although the two countries now face different challenges, he said the lessons of history remained relevant.
“Peace, security and stability can never be taken for granted,” Baka said, emphasising the responsibility of current generations to learn from the past and work towards a safer, more stable and more peaceful future.
He concluded by thanking Herzog for his visit and welcoming him to Hungary.