Orbán Claims Budapest’s Jewish Community is Safe Amid Rising Anti-Semitism in Europe

This week, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán asserted that the Jewish community in Budapest is safer than in any other European city, even as data from the Anti-Defamation League indicates a worrying increase in anti-Semitic incidents throughout the continent.

In a post on X, Orbán stated, “Budapest’s Jewish community is safer than anywhere else in Europe. We have zero tolerance for anti-Semitism, no hate crimes, no violent immigration. This is what a modern European capital should be.”

His remarks received endorsement from Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Tsikri, who noted on X that “Budapest is one of the safest and most welcoming European capitals for both the Jewish community and for people from Israel.”

Tsikli highlighted Switzerland’s recent decision to cancel the Zionist Youth Congress for around 200 Jewish youths in Basel. In contrast, Hungary has agreed to host the event, with a senior Hungarian official even delivering a speech.

Tsikri attributed Hungary’s position to “a responsible immigration policy that recognizes the dangers posed by Islamic extremism” and emphasized the government’s firm stance against anti-Semitism.

Orbán’s comments come after the Anti-Defamation League released a report showing that anti-Semitism is escalating rapidly in Europe. The 2024-2025 analysis titled *Take action: Anti-Semitism intensifies in Europe* revealed a significant increase in harassment, vandalism, threats, and physical attacks in various European nations, particularly following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

According to the ADL, countries like France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have seen a rise in such incidents. Many in the Jewish community reported increased security risks, with several individuals feeling uncomfortable wearing visible religious symbols in public. The ADL warns that security measures for Jewish institutions across Europe are becoming stricter and that anti-Semitic behavior in public is becoming more normalized.

Hungary boasts the largest Jewish community in Central Europe, estimated at between 80,000 and 100,000, primarily residing in Budapest.

Opinions among Hungarian Jewish leaders vary. Some commend the government’s efforts in restoring synagogues, creating Holocaust memorials, and promoting Jewish cultural initiatives, while others express concerns about nationalist rhetoric and disputes over historical memory regarding Hungary’s involvement in the Holocaust.

Prior to World War II, Hungary had the largest Jewish population in Europe, estimated at around 825,000. Following the German occupation in March 1944, approximately 430,000 to 440,000 Jews were swiftly deported to Auschwitz, the majority of whom were murdered upon arrival. Overall, it is estimated that about 564,000 Hungarian Jews lost their lives during the Holocaust.

Orbán’s administration has consistently resisted calls to condemn anti-Semitism, citing its strong ties with Israel and a public stance against anti-Semitic violence. Hungarian officials often juxtapose Budapest’s safety with that of major Western European cities, where Jewish organizations require extensive police protection and protests related to the Gaza conflict can become violent.

The ADL notes that anti-Semitic rhetoric is permeating political discourse and online platforms across Europe, fostering a climate of fear, even in nations that were previously viewed as safe for Jewish residents.