Reflecting on their last meeting in Budapest eight years ago, Prime Minister Orbán noted how dramatically the world has changed since, pointing to the 2023 terrorist attack on Israel as a defining example of today’s global threats. “One of the gravest,” he called it, “a brutal, sovereignty-violating assault that deeply affected not only Israel, but the entire world, including Hungary.”
He emphasized that Hungary was among the first to declare support for Israel in the aftermath and has since consistently defended Israel’s right to self-defense and the security of its people in international forums, expressing hope that “the prime minister and the government of Israel will succeed in securing peace for their citizens.”
Turning to domestic matters, Prime Minister Orbán highlighted Hungary’s role as a steadfast defender of Judeo-Christian values in Europe. He noted that Hungary is home to the continent’s third-largest Jewish community, who, he affirmed, “live in the greatest security of anywhere on the continent.” In contrast to rising antisemitism across Western Europe, he reiterated that Hungary maintains zero tolerance for such acts. “No one waves Hamas flags here,” he said, “and no one ever will.”
He attributed the spread of antisemitism elsewhere to unchecked illegal migration, warning that Brussels has opted to manage, rather than halt, migratory flows. “Hungary will not implement any migration agreement that undermines the safety of our citizens,” he stated, describing it not only as a matter of security but also of national sovereignty.
The prime minister also emphasized the strategic importance of a stable Israel, describing it as “the key to Middle Eastern stability.” He praised Israel’s presence in Hungary’s economy—particularly in high-tech and pharmaceutical sectors—and affirmed that bilateral defense cooperation would continue to grow.
In one of the most significant announcements of the briefing, Prime Minister Orbán confirmed that Hungary will exit the International Criminal Court. He recalled signing Hungary’s accession to the ICC in 2000, saying, “Now I am the one signing our withdrawal.” Describing the court as no longer impartial, he argued that it has “become a political instrument,” particularly in its decisions regarding Israel. “A democratic state like Hungary cannot take part in such a system,” he said, confirming that the government will submit the necessary legislation to the National Assembly immediately.
Concluding his remarks, Prime Minister Orbán called the visit more than a diplomatic occasion. It was, he said, “personal, spiritual, and if you will, civilizational,” reaffirming that “Israel can continue to count on Hungary as an unbreachable bastion of Judeo-Christian culture in Europe.”