Iran attacked Israel: many local Hungarians contacted the embassy
Hungary firmly condemns the drone and missile strikes on Israel and stands by the Middle Eastern country, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said in a video message on Facebook on Sunday.
Hungary firmly condemns the attack on Israel
The ministry’s latest updates indicate that none of the dual Israeli-Hungarian citizens or Hungarians temporarily staying in Israel were affected by the attack, Szijjártó said.
He said Iran’s drone and missile attack on Israel carried a bigger risk of escalation in the Middle East than any of the past developments in the region and could even threaten global security.
Szijjártó said it was no accident that the international community, including Hungary, had been underlining the need to avoid escalation and the importance of acting responsibly over the past months of the Middle East conflict.
Hungary firmly condemns the attack on Israel, the minister said, reaffirming Budapest’s support for the Middle Eastern country.
“Our number one job in this conflict is, of course, to ensure the safety of the Hungarian people,” Szijjártó said. “Therefore, our embassies in the region are on 24-hour duty. The missions in Israel, Iran, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon are all involved in the work.”
24 Hungarian citizens in Israel had contacted the embassy
Szijjártó said 24 Hungarian citizens in Israel had contacted the embassy during the night. “Fortunately they are all fine, and, in fact, none of the dual Israeli-Hungarian citizens in Israel or the Hungarian citizens staying there temporarily … were affected by the attack.”
He added that anyone who is in trouble should contact the Hungarian embassy or the consular service.
Citing the latest updates, he said the Ben Gurion Airport had been reopened, adding, however, that flight changes should be expected.
Meanwhile, he said the ministry knows of 74 Hungarian citizens in Iran whom they are in contact with as much as possible. One Hungarian family has indicated their intention to leave the country, he said, adding that the embassy will provide them the help that they need.
In Jordan, there were two Hungarians who contacted the embassy and are confirmed to be safe, the minister said, noting that Jordan had also closed its airspace. At this time, this did not affect any flights to or from Hungary, Szijjártó said, noting that the next Wizz Air flight was due to arrive in Amman early on Tuesday. “It is not yet certain that this flight will be able to leave, so the staff there will be prepared for the possibility of Hungarian citizens getting stuck at the Amman airport or in Jordan,” he said, adding that those Hungarians will receive the help they may need. He said the ministry is in contact with every Hungarian they know to be in the area.
Szijjártó called on Hungarian citizens in the area who had yet to do so to register for consular protection. He noted that the staff of the consular service’s call centre in Budapest were also on 24-hour duty. At the end of his video message, Szijjártó again underlined Hungary’s firm condemnation of the attack on Israel. “We stand by Israel, and I think the international community’s call for responsible actions and avoiding escalation has never been as important or as valid as it is now,” he said.
Szijjártó speaks with Israeli counterpart by phone
Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Israel Katz, by phone on Sunday. Szijjarto said on Facebook that he and Katz had discussed the situation following Saturday night’s attack on Israel. “I reassured my counterpart of Hungary’s solidarity with Israel and the Israeli people, and made it clear that we firmly condemn the attack on the country,” the minister said.
Szijjarto emphasised that Hungary, as a member of the international community, had in the recent period continuously argued against escalation. He added that he had expressed hope that an escalation that would threaten global security could still be prevented. “Hungary stands by Israel in these difficult days,” he said.
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Israel should attack Iran’s nuclear manufacturing sites. Iran had no legitimate reason to attack Israel. Prior to the attack, Iran has financed hamas, houthis and other terrorist groups. Iran deserves to be attacked and the strongest sanctions.