For the first time: A demonstration in support of Hamas terrorists to be held in Hungary
The trend of pro-Palestinian demonstrations seen in recent years in Western European countries, including Germany, the UK, and France, has barely been felt until now in Hungary, which was considered one of the most friendly countries to Israel in Europe. However, tomorrow, Friday, a demonstration is expected to take place in Budapest in support of "Palestinian prisoners," including Hussam Abu Safiya, who according to Israel collaborated with Hamas.
The trend of pro-Palestinian demonstrations seen in recent years in Western European countries, including Germany, the UK, and France, has barely been felt until now in Hungary, which was considered one of the most friendly countries to Israel in Europe. However, tomorrow, Friday, a demonstration is expected to take place in Budapest in support of "Palestinian prisoners," including Hussam Abu Safiya, who according to Israel collaborated with Hamas.
The demonstration, organized by the "Palestinian Community" in Budapest, is expected to begin at 14:00. This is an unusual event in Hungary, after similar demonstrations were restricted or banned in the country in recent years.
The change comes after the shift in government in Hungary. Shortly after the October 7 attack, then-Prime Minister Viktor Orbán declared that he would not allow "pro-terrorist demonstrations" in the country. Subsequently, relatively small pro-Palestinian demonstrations were held in Hungary, but on a significantly smaller scale than those seen in other European countries.
Since the defeat of Orbán and his party in the elections and the rise of Prime Minister Péter Magyar, the policy on the issue has changed. The Hungarian authorities did not ban the demonstration planned for tomorrow, and local security forces claimed there was no legal basis to prevent it. According to estimates, under the Orbán government, an event of this kind would have been banned.
Alongside the pro-Palestinian demonstration, a pro-Israel demonstration is also expected to take place at the site, while a change in the decision regarding the event's holding is still possible. Jewish organizations in Hungary sharply criticized the decision to allow the demonstration, and Israel's ambassador to the country, Maya Kadosh, stated:
"There is no place for terror in Hungary."
Tamir Wurtzberger of the Action and Protection League told C14:
"The demonstration expected to take place tomorrow in Budapest is crossing a worrying red line for the Jewish community in Hungary. We expect the new government and the authorities in Hungary to continue to guard and protect the Jewish community as has been done in the past."
