Hungary’s far-right Jobbik holds anti-Jewish rally in Budapest ahead of WJC assembly
About a thousand supporters turned out in Budapest on May 4 2013 for an anti-Jewish rally organised by Hungary’s far-right Jobbik party, held ahead of the World Jewish Congress assembly being held in the Hungarian capital city from May 5 to 7.
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán had earlier issued orders banning the rally, but this was overturned by a court on May 3.
According to international and local media reports, senior figures from Jobbik – the third-largest parliamentary party in Hungary, with 43 seats out of 386, said that the World Jewish Congress had decided to hold its assembly in Budapest to shame the Hungarian people.
The event in Budapest on May 4 was billed as a tribute to what organisers called the victims of Bolshevism and Zionism.
“The Israeli conquerors, these investors, should look for another country in the world for themselves because Hungary is not for sale,” party chairman Gabor Vona told the rally, according to news agency Reuters.
“We are special here in Europe, but not because we are the most anti-Semitic nation, but because that even if all of Europe is at their feet, even if all of Europe licks their feet, even then we will not,” Vona said.
Marton Gyongyosi said Hungary had “become subjugated to Zionism, it has become a target of colonisation while we, the indigenous people, can play only the role of extras”.
The World Jewish Congress said that it would hold its14th Plenary Assembly in Budapest to discuss matters of importance to the Jewish people globally, including the alarming rise of Neo-Nazi political parties and anti-Semitic incidents in several European countries, including Hungary, and the situation in the Middle East.
More than 600 delegates and observers from around the world, including small communities such asZimbabwe,NamibiaandSwaziland, were expected to convene in the Hungarian capital.
Hungary’s PM Orbán will address the opening dinner on May 5.
Other keynote speakers at the Plenary Assembly will include Germany’s foreign minister Guido Westerwelle, Cardinal Péter Erdő, the archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and current president of the Council of European Bishops Conferences, Israel’s energy and water minister Silvan Shalom, as well as various special envoys to the Middle East. Delegates will also elect a new WJC Executive Committee for the next four years.
WJC President Ronald S. Lauder said: “This will be a good opportunity to show that by standing united, world Jewry can make its voice heard and can improve things. We are looking forward to meet in Budapest, which has a great Jewish history and a vibrant community.”
The event is organised in cooperation with the Federation of Jewish Communities of Hungary (MAZSIHISZ), the official representative body of Jews in Hungary. MAZSIHISZ President Péter Feldmájer said: “The fact that the WJC is holding its Plenary Assembly in Budapest is a symbol of solidarity with our Jewish community, which has been faced with growing anti-Semitism in recent years. We look forward to welcoming the WJC delegates here in Hungary, home to the largest Jewish community in Central Europe.”
(Archive photo of a Jobbik event in Budapest: Orlovic)
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