Hungarian President talks with president of war-torn country

President Tamás Sulyok had phone talks with Isaac Herzog, his Israeli counterpart, on Thursday, the Hungarian presidential palace told MTI in a statement.

Herzog congratulated Sulyok on his recent election, and the two presidents reviewed topical bilateral and global issues, the statement said.

At the talks, Sulyok highlighted Hungary’s being “a close ally and best friend” to Israel, as well as being a strategic partner in Europe. He expressed his sympathy with the families of victims of the October 7 attack, as well as with all residents of Israel. He said he hoped that peace could soon be achieved.

The statement quoted Sulyok as saying that Israel has the unalienable right to protect its sovereignty and the security of its people. “The theoretical foundation of our support for Israel is a conclusion drawn from the monstrosities of the Holocaust, under which a strong Jewish nation state is needed to guarantee that nobody could ever commit such deeds again,” Sulyok said.

Hungary firmly condemns all forms of anti-Semitism, Sulyok said, noting “the importance of Holocaust remembrance” with special regard to taking care of Jewish shrines, synagogues and cemeteries. He added that Hungary’s Jewish community was also a link between the two countries.

At the end of their conversation, the two presidents mutually invited each other for an official visit.

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