The wave of pro-‘Palestinian’ demonstrations seen across Western European countries in recent years, including Germany, Britain and France, has until now largely bypassed Hungary, long considered one of Israel’s friendliest countries in Europe. That may change Friday, when a demonstration is expected to take place in Budapest in support of ‘Palestinian prisoners,’ including Hussam Abu Safiya, who Israel says cooperated with Hamas. The demonstration, organized by Budapest’s ‘Palestinian community,’ is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. The event is unusual for Hungary, where similar demonstrations have been restricted or prohibited in recent years.
2+The change comes following a transfer of power in Hungary. Shortly after the October 7 massacre, then-Prime Minister Viktor Orbán declared that he would not allow “pro-terrorist demonstrations” in the country. Limited pro-‘Palestinian’ demonstrations were subsequently held in Hungary, but on a considerably smaller scale than those seen elsewhere in Europe. Since Orbán and his party lost the election and Prime Minister Péter Magyar rose to power, the government’s approach has changed.
2+Hungarian authorities have not prohibited Friday’s planned demonstration, with local security officials arguing that there are no legal grounds to prevent it. According to assessments, an event of this kind would have been prohibited under the Orbán government. A pro-Israel counter-demonstration is also expected to take place, while a change in the decision allowing the original rally remains possible. Jewish organizations in Hungary sharply criticized the decision to permit the demonstration, while Israeli Ambassador Maya Kadosh declared: “Terror has no place in Hungary.”
2+Tamir Wertzberger of the Action and Protection League told C14 that Friday’s planned demonstration represents “the crossing of a worrying red line for the Jewish community in Hungary.” “We expect the new government and the Hungarian authorities to continue safeguarding and protecting the Jewish community as was done in the past,” he added.