Prime Minister Orbán Claims Budapest is Safest for Jews in Europe
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has stated that Jews in Budapest are safer than in any other European city. He attributes this security to strict immigration controls and a firm stance against anti-Semitism, suggesting that these factors define what a modern European capital should embody.
During a speech at the Fidesz party’s nomination rally in Budapest, Orbán emphasized this point further in a social media post days later, sharing a video of his remarks. He proclaimed, “Budapest’s Jewish community is safer than anywhere else in Europe. Zero tolerance for anti-Semitism, no hate crimes, no violent immigration. This is what modern European capitals should be.”
In his address, Orbán underscored that the security experienced by Jews in Hungary’s capital is unmatched throughout the continent. “Jewish families and the Jewish community are safer here than anywhere else in Europe,” he asserted, noting that there’s no other nation where the capital’s Jewish community feels the same level of safety as in Budapest.
Orbán framed this situation as a significant accomplishment of his administration and urged supporters to recognize this achievement. “We should be very proud of this,” he remarked, adding that Hungary is the only country able to provide such security for its Jewish citizens.
He credited this sense of safety to his government’s robust policies against anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiments. “The government supports this with a policy of zero tolerance,” Orbán explained, encouraging supporters to take pride in the fact that inciting hate against Israel is not tolerated in Hungary.
The Prime Minister went on to connect the safety of Jews in Budapest to Hungary’s opposition to mass immigration, arguing that the city has managed to avoid the street violence seen in other European areas and will continue to do so under his leadership. “There are no violent migrants on the streets of Budapest, and there never will be,” he asserted.
Orbán has framed the situation as a broader civilizational matter, suggesting that Budapest’s model reflects how a capital should fundamentally operate, politically and otherwise. “This is what the nation’s capital should be like,” he said, reinforcing his vision for modern European capitals.
The Prime Minister’s comments echo Hungary’s general stance on anti-Semitism and immigration, a position reiterated during a recent pro-Israel summit, where officials noted that mass immigration and moral decline are contributing to rising anti-Semitism across Western Europe.
This perspective quickly garnered support from Israeli officials, including Amichai Tsikri, Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Countering Anti-Semitism, who praised Budapest as one of the safest and most welcoming capitals for the Jewish community. Tsikli noted Hungary’s responsible immigration policy and strong anti-Semitism stance, highlighting the country’s willingness to host events that other European cities often reject.
Hungary has the largest Jewish population in Central Europe, many of whom reside in Budapest. The Orbán government frequently highlights its close ties to Israel, rejection of open border policies, and public opposition to anti-Semitic violence as key to ensuring Jewish safety in the nation.
As anti-Semitism escalates in major cities across Western Europe, Orbán affirmed that Budapest will remain distinct—a capital that protects Jewish lives and maintains security. “There are no violent immigrants,” he concluded, adding, “And there will be nothing.”
