Israeli President Herzog Visits Budapest to Strengthen Ties

Israeli President Isaac Herzog concluded an official visit to Budapest on Tuesday, aimed at bolstering bilateral relations between Israel and Hungary. He met with Hungarian President András Baka and Prime Minister Peter Magyar, expressing gratitude for Hungary's support of Israel and its efforts to combat antisemitism. The Hungarian leaders affirmed their commitment to maintaining close cooperation with Israel.

During his meeting with President Baka at Sándor Palace, Herzog highlighted historical ties, referencing the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. He noted that the shared history of both nations teaches that "freedom is not a given," especially as the 70th anniversary of the revolution approaches. Herzog also thanked Hungary for its role in Israel-European Union relations and for its stance against terrorism, praising the country's "zero tolerance policy towards antisemitism in all its forms" as crucial for protecting Jewish life.

President Baka described the relationship as "cordial and stable," calling Israel an important economic partner and expressing a desire for continued pragmatic cooperation. He assured that Hungary is a safe place for Jews and visitors. Herzog later met with Prime Minister Magyar and government officials for discussions on bilateral trade, EU-Israel relations, and regional challenges in the Middle East and Europe. Herzog extended an invitation to Magyar to visit Israel, which the Prime Minister accepted.

President Herzog also participated in the international "Voice of the People" conference, an initiative bringing together Jewish leaders and young participants from Israel and the diaspora to discuss challenges facing the Jewish people. His visit was scheduled to conclude with a meeting with representatives of Hungary's Jewish community.