Protest disrupts Israeli historian’s lecture at top Hungarian university, ministers call for investigation
A public lecture at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in Budapest was interrupted by protesters on Thursday, leading to the suspension of the event and prompting government ministers to call for an immediate investigation.
The lecture, titled “Diversity and Democracy in Israeli Society,” was to be held by Alexander Yakobson, a historian from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Organised by the Department of Hebrew Studies at ELTE’s Faculty of Humanities, the three-part course was open to the public and meant to explore aspects of Israeli society and politics.
However, according to reports by Szombat magazine and Hungarian news outlets, a small group of attendees wearing Palestinian keffiyehs began shouting during the introduction of the lecture, accusing the event of promoting political propaganda and supporting genocide. Despite attempts by organisers to restore order and Yakobson’s effort to engage in dialogue, the disruption continued.
University security was called, but the situation could not be resolved on-site. Following the university’s internal protocol, the Faculty decided to suspend the event. The organisers later informed participants that the course is expected to continue online.
Ministers condemn disruption of lecture
Balázs Hankó, Minister of Culture and Innovation, and János Bóka, Minister for European Union Affairs, both issued statements condemning the incident and urging the university to take action.
Hankó published an open letter to ELTE rector Lénárd Darázs on social media, writing that “every provocation must be stopped at its roots”. He called on the university to investigate the incident without delay and to hold those involved accountable.
“Hungary is a peaceful country, and anyone who comes here must respect that,” Hankó said, adding that the government is committed to maintaining such an environment across all higher education institutions.
Minister Bóka also addressed the issue, writing that “at universities, the power of arguments must never be replaced by the arguments of power”. He emphasised that freedom of expression in academia cannot mean silencing others.
ELTE launches investigation
In a statement published on Saturday, ELTE’s leadership said it was “deeply shocked” by the incident and announced an internal investigation.
“The university unreservedly stands for the freedom of science and education and rejects any behaviour that disrupts academic activity or restricts its freedom,” the statement reads.
ELTE stressed that antisemitism, exclusion, and all forms of hatred and discrimination are unacceptable on campus. “Those engaging in such behaviour have no place at the university, whether they are Hungarian or foreign citizens, members of the university community, or external visitors,” it added.
The statement also confirmed that the interrupted lecture will be rescheduled.