Jewish federation calls on Orbán to drop Soros billboard campaign – UPDATE
The head of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Hungary (Mazsihisz) has called on Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to call an end to the government’s recent billboard campaign depicting US financier George Soros.
Though the campaign is “not openly anti-Semitic”, it is capable of inciting anti-Semitic sentiments in people, András Heisler said in a statement on Thursday.
Referring to the recent appearance of anti-Semitic graffiti on some of the billboards in Budapest, Heisler said Mazsihisz’s fears were not unfounded.
He said members of the government had “a historical responsibility to prevent the spread of hate and division” in Hungary.
“I ask you to take action so that this nightmare can end as soon as possible,” Heisler wrote.
Earlier in the day, István Hollik, a lawmaker of the co-ruling Christian Democrats, told a press conference that the government had zero tolerance for anti-Semitism.
Asked to comment on an earlier letter by Heisler warning that the campaign could stir up anti-Semitic sentiments, Hollik said the reason the government fought against illegal migration was so that it could protect Hungarians and Hungary’s Jewish community. He added that Soros, on the other hand, “is putting pressure on the Hungarian government” over illegal migration. “This is what the billboard campaign is about,” Hollik said.
As we wrote, PM Orbán met David Lau, Ashkenazi chief rabbi of Israel, for talks in Budapest today.
Speaking at a weekly press briefing, government office chief János Lázár denied that the billboard campaign had anything to do with Soros’s identity or origins. Its aim is to draw attention to “the danger Soros presents” in connection with migration, he said. The Hungarian government is ready to protect all Jewish citizens and has declared zero tolerance for anti-Semitism, he added.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will send a written answer to Heisler, Lázár said.
Photo: Daily News Hungary
Source: MTI
Do not remove billboards telling the truth about Soros. He is evil. When Soros stopped interfering in Hungary then think avbout removing the billboards.
There is one rotten apple in every barrel, Soros is is only rotten apple among the Jewish People.
People of Hungary – ignore the ambassador – at Israel we hate this Sorros also, he also pushes his nose into our policticsm supporting our far left extremists, that try to weaken Israel vs arabs and africans that infiltrate from Egypt. You can freely protest against this sorros , no one normal in Israel will see this as anti semitism, its your right as a country to protect your borders ! Your Jewish friends in Israel.
Read more at: https://dailynewshungary.com/foreign-ministry-responds-criticism-israeli-ambassador-soros-billboard-campaign/
[…] Federacji Węgierskich Gmin Żydowskich Mazsihisz wstawiła się za George Sorosem w sprawie akcji plakatowej wymierzonej w finansistę. Na bilboardach pojawiły się […]
Soros should be banned from everywhere. Viktor Orbán dont give up, doesnt matter if they will call you racist, extremist, anti-semitic or whatever, they can only shout. You have every right to fight for better, stronger and an independent Hungary.