Politicans from a Hungarian-speaking village in Israel are in pole position to next lead the country
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Everyone in the world of Israeli politics knows everyone else, which is especially true for Benny Gantz and Israel Katz. As told by ujszo.com, they grew up two houses away from each other in a village called Kfar Ahim, which was founded by Hungarian speakers. They are both in both pole position to become leaders in Israel.
Located in South Israel near Asdód, Kfar Ahim became more well-known after the 2019 Israeli legislative election in April, in which the opposition Blue and White party, led by Benny Gantz, were able to equal the ruling Likud party’s 35 mandates. A new legislative election held this year did not break the deadlock either.
In the right-winged Likud party, Israel Katz is the next in line to take over from President Benjamin Netanyahu.
But what is the village like where these two prominent politicians grew up in? Local resident Irén told ujszo.com that villagers found a community when they moved to Kfar Ahim – almost all of them came to Israel alone, meaning they relied on each other for help and support. Today around 80 families are living in the settlement.
Kfar Ahim was founded by a group of 8 Hungarian-speaking families who survived death and labour camps during the Second World War. They met on a ship travelling to Palestine in 1946, but due to delays they only reached their destination in 1948. Gantz’s parents were married in this period.
