Péter Magyar: Zero Tolerance for Antisemitism Stays

Translation of an article originally published in Hungarian by Magyar Jelen on April 13, 2026 by Tamás Horváth.

Péter Magyar, Hungary's prime minister-elect, spoke Monday at an international press conference about the future of Hungarian-Israeli relations and Hungary's stance on the International Criminal Court (ICC). A correspondent from the German international public broadcaster Deutsche Welle asked the Tisza Party leader about his plans for relations with Israel and the country's Jewish community, according to hetek.hu.

The reporter asked whether the new Hungarian government intends to revisit the previous administration's decision to withdraw Hungary from the ICC, especially since Viktor Orbán had previously rolled out the red carpet for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Magyar replied that the outgoing government had indeed set the withdrawal process in motion, a process the incoming government can no longer stop. 

He added, however, that they will seek Hungary's readmission to the court.

On Hungarian-Israeli relations, he stressed: 

"There is a special bond between Israel and Hungary — a great many of our fellow Hungarians live in Israel, and a great many Israeli citizens come to Hungary."

He also noted that Hungary is home to one of the largest and strongest Jewish communities in Europe, one that currently lives in safety and peace.

"A very strong Jewish community lives in Hungary, one of the largest in Europe. Thankfully, in peace and safety."

The prime minister-elect reaffirmed: 

a zero-tolerance policy toward antisemitism will remain firmly in place.

He also underscored Israel's economic importance, calling it a key partner and pledging pragmatic cooperation.

On EU decisions concerning Israel, Magyar was more measured. 

"I cannot guarantee — though naturally every case must be examined on its merits — that Hungary will continue to block EU decisions on Israel."

He said each EU decision would be weighed on its own merits, adding, 

"We will look at what decision the EU takes and when, and consider where our interests lie and what is right."

In recent months, Hungary had blocked a series of EU resolutions, including calls for the unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, sanctions against Jewish settlers in Judea and Samaria, and formal EU statements condemning Israel. A review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement had also been on the table, as hetek.hu noted.