Holocaust Remembrance Day in Hungary: Israel’s ambassador addresses state ceremony attended by PM-elect Péter Magyar

Hungary marked Hungary Holocaust Remembrance Day on 16 April, the national memorial date linked to the start of the ghettoisation of Hungarian Jews in 1944. At the official commemoration, Israel’s Ambassador to Hungary Maya Kadosh said antisemitism has not disappeared, but increasingly appears in less explicit forms—making it more difficult to challenge—and argued that political leadership and institutions will play a decisive role in the coming period. Holocaust Remembrance Day in Hungary:

What happened?

The Hungarian government held an official Hungary Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony at the Holocaust Memorial Center in Budapest (Páva Street), commemorating the victims and recalling the first ghettos established in 1944.

According to the information shared from the event, Ambassador Maya Kadosh delivered a speech focusing on how remembrance must translate into present-day responsibility—particularly when it comes to identifying and countering contemporary forms of antisemitism.

Who’s involved?

Alongside Kadosh, speakers included Prof. Dr Andor Grósz, president of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Hungary (Mazsihisz)and a Vice President of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), and a representative of the Hungarian government.

The state commemoration brought together senior Hungarian officials, Jewish community leaders, and the incoming political leadership. From the current government, János Bóka attended, alongside Vince Szalay-Bobrovniczky, a deputy state secretary.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister-elect Péter Magyar. Participants also included figures widely expected to join the new government, including Anita Orbán, named as the incoming foreign minister, and Zoltán Tarr.

For international readers: 16 April is observed in Hungary as the memorial day for the victims of the Holocaust, associated with the start of the forced ghettoisation process in 1944.

Why does it matter?

In her remarks, Kadosh stressed that the public debate after the formation of a new parliament and government will naturally focus on political decisions and direction, but she also pointed to the importance of institutions in shaping how public life functions.

She warned that antisemitism today often manifests in less overt ways, which can make it more challenging to confront. In that context, she argued, leadership becomes “more complex”—and at the same time more essential.

Kadosh also linked the fight against antisemitism to rejecting efforts to delegitimise Israel, describing the two as inseparable in today’s environment, and framing Hungarian–Israeli relations as rooted in a clear commitment to combating antisemitism in all its forms.

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What’s next?

With a new parliamentary term beginning and a new government taking shape, Kadosh’s remarks place renewed attention on how Hungary’s incoming leadership and state institutions will define and counter contemporary forms of antisemitism, including less overt manifestations.

Diplomatically, contacts have already started. In a public statement, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said he held a “warm” conversation with Anita Orbán, who is expected to become Hungary’s next foreign minister, congratulating her on TISZA’s election victory and her anticipated appointment. Sa’ar also said Israel appreciates Prime Minister-elect Péter Magyar’s commitment to continuing Hungary’s tradition of fighting antisemitism and protecting Jewish communities, adding that the two sides agreed to meet soon after the new government is formally inaugurated.

This suggests Hungarian–Israeli relations are likely to remain a priority topic early in the new administration’s foreign policy calendar, with an initial high-level meeting expected once the cabinet is sworn in.

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