Another 65 Hungarian nationals including 18 children have been rescued from Israel.
The group is aboard a ship on its way to Cyprus, the foreign ministry quoted, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó as saying. The rescued Hungarians will be met by members of the Hungarian embassy at the port, and will be provided a special flight to return to Budapest on Friday afternoon, the minister said. He also added that the next group of Hungarians still in Israel would soon be notified about the next evacuation operation.
“The goal continues to be to help all Hungarians in trouble return home,” Szijjártó said.
UPDATE
Group of 65 Hungarians evacuated from Israel arrives in Cyprus
A ship carrying a group of 65 Hungarian citizens, among them 18 children, evacuated from Israel has arrived in Cyprus, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Friday.
Owing to the insistence of Hungarian diplomats, the government was able to acquire 200 tickets for a ship bound for Cyprus, which were then offered to the Hungarians stranded in the Middle Eastern country, 65 of whom boarded the vessel, Szijjártó said on Moscow.
“It’s good news that the ship has docked in Larnaca, where my Cypriot colleagues are waiting for the Hungarians,” Szijjártó said. “They will accompany the group to the Larnaca airport, where the Hungarians will board a plane reserved by the foreign ministry that will take them home.”
“So these Hungarian citizens are scheduled to arrive home sometime this afternoon or evening, and will then be permanently safe,” the minister said.
Later on Friday, an aircraft of the Hungarian Armed Forces left Israel with 105 people, 89 Hungarians and 16 foreigners on board, Szijjártó said, according to a ministry statement.
The plane evacuated Hungarian, Slovak, US, Israeli and Austrian citizens. Of the passengers, 44 are children, he said.
President Katalin Novák and Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis on Wednesday discussed the wars in Ukraine and Israel, as well as Romania’s Schengen accession process.
Other topics on the meeting’s agenda in Sándor Palace in Budapest included national minorities, Hungary’s 2024 EU presidency, and economic, energy and transport ties, Novák told a press conference afterwards.
“The situation of national minorities is important to both of us, and to us, Hungarians, the fate, present and future of the Hungarian community in Transylvania is especially important…” Novák said.
The last time a Romanian head of state paid an official visit to Hungary was 14 years ago, she noted. “So today’s meeting is of historic significance,” she added.
The president said the aim was to pursue pragmatic Hungary-Romania relations worthy of important neighbouring countries.
Hungary and Romania have both made their stances on the war in Ukraine clear, noting that they condemned Russia’s aggression against its neighbour and strived to aid Ukraine in its defence. Hungary provides all the necessary humanitarian aid to those fleeing Ukraine, she noted.
Ukraine is home to a significant number of both Hungarian and Romanian national minorities, Novák said, adding that they were counting on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s cooperation in remedying the violations against minority rights and in doing everything possible to enforce those rights.
Concerning the war in Israel, Novák said Hungary has expressed its sympathies and support to Israel “in this tragic situation”. The president added that she will attend a worship service organised by the Federation of Hungarian Jewish Communities (MAZSIHISZ) and Budapest’s Jewish Community.
Novák said she and Iohannis were in agreement that support for the local Hungarian community contributes to Romania’s development, and that the easing of tensions was therefore a shared interest.
Romania’s place is in the Schengen area, the president said, calling it “unfair” that the country had not yet been allowed to join the European Union’s passport-free zone. Hungary assures Romania of its continued support, she said, adding that there was no need for a Schengen border between the two countries.
As regards Hungary’s upcoming EU presidency, Novák said the country wanted to achieve results when it came to the integration of the Western Balkan countries, and the management of the demographic crisis would also be a priority.
Meanwhile, Novák said economic ties between Hungary and Romania were flourishing. Romanian exports to Hungary have seen a 1.5-fold increase, while the number of border crossings between the two countries has increased to 14, she said, adding that there was more untapped potential in bilateral economic relations.
Concerning energy, she said Hungary was working to diversify its energy sources, in which it was counting on Romania. She said she and Iohannis agreed to boost bilateral energy ties as well.
In response to a question, Novák said Hungary condemns the terrorist attack against Israel and aimed to do everything possible to prevent an escalation of the conflict. More and more armed conflicts of unprecedented intensity are breaking out across the globe and many world leaders are working to prevent this from escalating into a third world war, she said, adding that wise and sound decisions were needed.
Another five Hungarian citizens have managed to leave Israel, Péter Szijjártó, the minister of foreign affairs, said on Wednesday, noting that anyone seeking consular protection is given updates every two hours about the situation and options for leaving the country.
Amid continuing armed operations, employees of Hungary’s Tel Aviv embassy must regularly go to shelters, Szijjártósaid in a ministry statement.
He said consular services nonetheless operated 24 hours a day and in Budapest consular staff have been increased so that everyone who has registered for consular protection receives it.
He dismissed reports of the embassy failing to keep in touch with citizens as “lies”, adding that there was documentary evidence to prove this.
The Turkish airline which normally operates services to Israel has cancelled its flights, while flights from Budapest of Israeli carrier El Al sometimes reach Tel Aviv and sometimes land in Larnaca and turn back to Budapest, he said.
Whenever a flight reaches Tel Aviv, consular staff at the airport try to assign Hungarian passengers to the remaining seats, which is how five people managed to leave the country the previous day, he said.
The minister said that departing Israel by air was increasingly difficult and dangerous, while departures by land were limited to four border crossings, three towards Jordan and one in the direction of Egypt, and crossing could be made only during the day.
He said that as long as Hungarian citizens were in Israel, “we will keep in constant contact with everyone”.
Szijjártó said that regrettably signs were that the situation would further escalate, and he urged the international community to do everything possible to prevent this from happening.
The minister warned of “one of the most serious humanitarian disasters in the history of mankind” in the coming period if nothing was done to prevent it.
The government is in contact with every Hungarian citizen currently stuck in Israel who has registered for consular protection, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Tuesday, adding that the consular service was updating everyone on the latest information.
The Hungarian Air Force rescued a total of 325 people form Israel on board three aircraft on Sunday and Monday, but more people have asked to be evacuated since then, Szijjártó said after a meeting of representatives of the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council in Muscat.
“I would once again like to ask everyone not to delay their registration for consular protection,” he said, warning that those who did not register on time could end up like those currently stuck in the Middle Eastern country.
The government is constantly monitoring the security situation in Israel and has been informed of a missile strike near the Tel Aviv airport yesterday, Szijjártó said, noting that all flights from Budapest to Tel Aviv have been cancelled.
The minister added, at the same time, that there were alternative routes out of Israel to which there was limited access.
Hungarians still in Israel who have only recently applied for consular protection are being kept updated on these routes, he said.
“Because the security situation is extremely fragile, all decisions have to be made with the utmost care and caution,” Szijjártó said.
The countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) may be key to preventing the escalation of the situation in the Middle East, and the European Union should strengthen ties with them, the minister of foreign affairs and trade said in Muscat on Tuesday.
Speaking after a meeting of foreign ministers of the EUand the GCC, Péter Szijjártó said Europe was facing serious security threats from the war in Ukraine in the east and migration in the south. Hungary’s geography makes it a subject to both types of pressure, he added. Migration is primarily caused by armed conflicts, wars and terrorism, but changes in global security also have an impact, he said. “If global security improves, the migration pressure on Europe eases,” he said. Europe has a vested interest in ending armed conflicts worldwide as soon as possible, he said.
Szijjártó condemned the terrorist attack on Israel and expressed his concerns regarding the conflict resulting in a large-scale humanitarian catastrophe. He lamented that the “peace dynamics” achieved by the Abraham Accords “will have to take a back seat now, and it will take hard work to prevent them from withering completely.” Szijjártó held talks with his Bahraini counterpart on Tuesday. “He also said we should do everything we can to preserve what remains from those achievements, or at least the hope that we can return to that road one day,” he said.
The minister also had talks with his Kuwaiti, Omaniand Saudi counterparts, and Qatar’s state minister for foreign affairs. They agreed that the international community must focus on preventing escalation. The Gulf countries had an important role in stabilising the fragile Middle East earlier, and contributed to the closure of many a conflict, he said. “Let us hope they can play … the same role now,” he said. He called on the EU and the GCC to strengthen cooperation by closing important issues such as visa exemption and a free trade agreement.
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Hungarian minister afraid of ‘History’s biggest humanitarian catastrophe’ – Read more HERE
Wizz Air launchesnew flight from Hungary, CEO announces further expansions
Szijjártó calls for international action to prevent escalation in Middle East
The international community should join forces to prevent escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Szijjártó said in Muscat on Tuesday. Speaking at a meeting of representatives of the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council, Szijjártó expressed the Hungarian government’s concern and called for a responsible approach, warning that developments could “easily lead to the gravest humanitarian disaster in history”. The minister said it was regrettable that the conflict had flared up “at the worst possible time”, when stabilisation was under way and the parties had taken significant steps towards peace. “Those achievements may now be ruined,” he added.
Sustainable peace in the Middle East, he said, was crucial, adding that GCC members could play an important role in preventing escalation. Intervention by the group had played “a positive and stabilising role in respect of a number of previous regional conflicts,” he added. The minister said he hoped the world could rely on their efforts towards a settlement that improved European security. Reinforcing cooperation between the EU and GCC “is needed now more than ever”, he said, and urged talks on such issues as lifting visa requirements and signing a free trade agreement with GCC members.
EU-GCC cooperation would be a vital tool in tackling humanitarian crises worldwide, Szijjártó said. “We all know that waves of migration are primarily triggered by armed conflicts, wars, and the mounting threat of terrorism,” he said, adding that “the global security situation has a direct impact on migratory pressure on the EU … whenever the world’s security is improves, pressure of migration on Europe eases; when the security situation deteriorates, it grows.” “That is why Europe is has an committed interest in settling armed conflicts in a peaceful way,” Szijjártó added.
Hungarian think-tank head Miklós Szánthó has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of the attacks in Israel, adding that the country had the right to self-defence, and he also accused “the international left wing” of providing ideological support for the terrorist attackers and of spreading of “a new European anti-Semitism”. Addressing the Center for Fundamental Rights’ International Pro-Israel conference, Szánthó said in his opening speech that the brutal attacks in Israel had endowed the conference with “chilling relevance”.
Hungary condemns Hamas’s ‘barbaric attack’
Hungary condemns Hamas’s “barbaric attack” against Israel, Zsolt Németh, the head of parliament’s foreign affairs committee, said on Monday. Not since the 1973 Yom Kippur War has Israel suffered on such a scale, Németh told MTI by phone whilst attending a session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg. “Hungary stands in solidarity with Israel and recognises its right to self-defense.”
He said the Abraham Accords had helped to forge peace in the Middle East and had been “the only viable path”. “Let’s ask in whose interest it was to quash it,” he said. Németh said on Monday evening he was attending a demonstration organised by French Jewish organisations in Strasbourg in front of the Council of Europe building, alongside members of the Hungarian delegation. “The spiral of violence can be felt increasingly keenly, and this puts a vital onus on the international community to restore and strengthen the world order,” he said.
Minister: Avoiding escalation of Israel-Palestine conflict a priority
Avoiding escalation of the conflict between Israel and Palestine “is now what is most important”, Péter Szijjártó, the minister of foreign affairs and trade, said on Monday. A meeting of European Union and Gulf-state foreign ministers scheduled to start in Oman on Tuesday “will be the first in a long time not to focus on Ukraine,” Szijjártósaid on Facebook. The terrorist attack on Israel, he said, had shocked international politics, and the Gulf states would have a key role in avoiding escalation, he said. Szijjártó arrives in Oman early on Tuesday.
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Wizz Air suspends flights from Budapest, Debrecen urgently today! – Read more HERE
Hungarian Air Force rescues people from Israel, Chain Bridge in Israeli colours – Click HEREfor more
Think tank: Hungary may become Israel’s European support hub
Hungarian think-tank head Miklós Szánthó has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of the attacks in Israel, adding that the country had the right to self-defence, and he also accused “the international left wing” of providing ideological support for the terrorist attackers and of spreading of “a new European anti-Semitism”. Addressing the Center for Fundamental Rights’ International Pro-Israel conference, Szánthó said in his opening speech that the brutal attacks in Israel had endowed the conference with “chilling relevance”.
Hungary and Israel, he said, were “champions of sovereignty” because “we are willing to go against the international mainstream.” Both, he added, protected traditions and a culture of respect for the nation and the respective role of religion. Szánthó insisted that “woke terrorists” had “put our God, our countries, and our families under fire”. Hungary, he said, was a “safe space” for Jews, and Hungary’s tight border protection played a big role in this.
He said that crowds in Western Europe were celebrating the terrorist attack by Hamas, but this would be unimaginable in Budapest. The think-tank head also insisted that “woke progressivism” had given rise to “a new anti-Semitism”. Péter Sztáray, the state secretary for security policy and energy security, said avoiding further escalation was the most important task before the international community. That requires a responsible approach from all countries in the region, he added.
Szabolcs Takács, Hungary’s Ambassador to the US, said the “proponents of migration” were “importing radicalism”. Eight Democrat representatives of the American House of Representatives had tried to organise an event supporting Palestine, and similar events had been held in Europe, he said. The EU commissioner for neighbourhood and enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, said the European Commission would review its 700 million euro support for Palestine. The review will include support for currently running projects and funding for the coming years, he said. Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky said Hungary and Israel had “deep and full” relations that included defence cooperation. Hungary has purchased equipment from Israel to improve its capabilities, he said.
The Center for Fundamental Rights said the conference conveyed the message that “Hungary supports Israel with determination and unconditionally, and fights modern anti-Semitism; our shared Judeo-Christian civilisation is at stake,” the center said. “We won’t be silent, we will stand up for Israel and for the victims and their families,” the statement said.
The Hungarian-Israeli Friendship Group of Parliament has condemned “in the strongest possible terms” Saturday’s terrorist attack against Israel.
In a statement on Monday, the friendship group said it was “shocked” by Saturday’s events, adding that they recognised Israel’s right to defend itself. The group expressed its “sincere sympathies” to the Israeli government and people over their losses.
The group assured Israel of its support “in these difficult days”, expressing hope that further escalation could be avoided, “because a wave of violence in the Middle East could have dramatic consequences for global security”.
Check out the Hungarian parliament’s official Facebook page HERE.
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Israeli students in Hungary in hunt for plane tickets to go home to fight – Read more HERE
Israeli university students studying at the universities of Debrecen, Budapest and even East Slovakia and members of the Israeli military (all grown-up men and women) are in a desperate hunt for plane tickets to go home to fight. Meanwhile, Hungarians and other nationals would like to get home from the war-torn country brutally attacked by Hamas last Saturday.
According to Blikk, a Hungarian tabloid, Israeli students would like to acquire plane tickets to their home country ready to fight against the invaders. They search for plane tickets on different social media sites and groups. Their post has already been shared more than 3,000 times.
“I’m ready if there is something to be sold”, another young man wrote. Another asked for the help of El Al Israel Airlines.
Hungarians stuck in Israel amid raging war
According to information by Hungarian authorities no Hungarian nationals have died or have been injured in the terrorist attacks against Israel, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Sunday afternoon, advising Hungarians against travelling to the country for the time being.
He said Hungary’s diplomatic staff was staying in contact with 400 Hungarian nationals in Israel and kept them informed about the security situation and the situation at the Ben Gurion airport where several passengers have been stranded after the cancellation of most international flights. We wrote HEREthat the military aircrafts of the Hungarian Air Force already carried to Budapest hundreds of Hungarians and 15 foreign nationals.
Szijjártósaid care was provided and assistance offered to a group of 90 Hungarian tourists stranded at Ben Gurion and contact maintained with another tourist group of 30 whose members are currently “in safe conditions”.
Hungarian authorities are also staying in contact with another 12 Hungarians in the Gaza Strip, he said. Hungary’s foreign ministry and consular service staff are making all possible efforts to provide for the safety of all Hungarians, Szijjártó said, asking Hungarian nationals to register for consular protection. Szijjártó reiterated that Hungary condemns terrorism, the terrorist attack against Israel and stands by Israel. “Israel can count on us in these difficult hours,” he said.
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Minister: Escalation of wartime situation must be prevented
It must be prevented that the wartime situation in the Middle East should escalate, the Hungarian foreign minister said on Sunday. Péter Szijjártó said in a post on Facebook that he discussed developments that give cause to serious concern in the Middle East with Hussein Amir-Abdollahian, his Iranian counterpart, by phone.
Szijjártó said he reiterated to Amir-Abdollahian that Hungary firmly condemns terrorism and would not want the situation to further deteriorate in the Middle East. The foreign minister said he expressed hope that every country will act “responsibly” in the coming days.
Apart from the Hungarian minors Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s foreign minister, talked about yesterday, 87 Hungarian Roma remained stuck in Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion International Airport. That comes after their flight back to Budapest was cancelled due to the brutal attack of Hamas yesterday morning. The Hungarian Roma are without money, but the Hungarian diplomacy said they could not give them any.
According to RTL Klub, a Hungarian commercial TV channel, there are more Hungarians stuck in Israelthan Mr Szijjártótalked about yesterday evening. The President of the Roma Charity Organisation, György Rostás-Farkas Jr, told RTL Klub that 87 of a Roma tourist group remained stuck at the Ben-Gurion Airport due to the cancellation of their flight.
The tourist group travelled to Israel for a national celebration. Out of the original 120 members, 20-30 returned home, but the rest could not. Rostás-Farkas said he received several phone calls after the situation escalated because they could not even go to the streets. He contacted the Hungarian embassy in Tel Aviv and asked the diplomatic outlet to help the group return to Budapest.
An official of the Hungarian consulate went to them and escorted the group with the help of the police to the airport. However, many people could not buy food and water because they ran out of money. Furthermore, some people cannot even buy new plane tickets. But the official said he could not help them financially.
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Wizz Air suspends flights from Budapest, Debrecen urgently today! – Read more HERE
The official added he would try to find them accommodation. All are at the airport, but their evening flight will not take off. Therefore, many people got desperate. Rostás-Farkas said not only Roma but Hungarians were stuck in Israel.
According to RTL Klub, Attila Sztojka, the government commissioner for Roma relations, transferred money to help the people at the airport. Péter Szijjártó said the airport was not closed, but some airlines cancelled flights, so people need to be cautious.
We wrote HERE that Wizz Air, Hungary’s low-cost airline, suspended flights from Budapest and Debrecen to Tel Aviv yesterday because of the Hamas attack.
President Katalin Novák condemned an attack against Israel early Saturday by militants of Palestinian Islamic organisation Hamas.
“I strongly condemn the attacks against Israelthat claim human lives. Hungary affirms its unwavering support for Israel. My thoughts and prayers with [Israeli President] Isaac Herzog and the Jewish people in these difficult times,” Novák said in a post on the social media platform X. According to the latest reports from the Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency ambulance service, at least 40 Israelis have died, while hospitals report several hundred injured.
President Novák urges peace at Arraiolos summit
Hungarian President KatalinNovák pressed for peace in Ukraineas soon as possible, while warning against an escalation of the war, after a meeting of the Arraiolos Group, which comprises heads of state of European parliamentary republics, in Porto on Friday. At a press conference, Nováksaid participants at the summit had agreed on support for Ukraine and a show of unity. She noted that Hungary had offered, political, material and humanitarian support to Ukraine.
In addition to establishing a sustainable peace in Ukraine, she said the sides had discussed the future of the European Union. Outlining her position on the union, she said the EU needed strong leaders, efficient institutions free of corruption, and strong member states. Everyone needs to comply with the Treaties, show mutual respect and focus on demographic challenges, she added.
A selfie with the European presidents:
She said the EU required strong leaders who could manage internal conflicts and were capable of showing the EU’s weight on the global political and economic stages, too. She pointed to the importance of observing the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity in the Treaties. Novák urged an acceleration of the process of accession for the Western Balkan countries and advocated Bulgaria and Romania’s inclusion in the passport-free Schengen zone “as soon as possible”.
She said addressing demographic challenges would be a key issue as Hungary took the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2024. The presidents of 13 countries participated at this year’s meeting of the Arraiolos Group: Italy, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Malta, Latvia, Poland, Finland, Portugal, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia and Hungary.
The athletes were also invited to visit Palestine.
With the participation of Mr. Gábor Deregán, member of the International Fair Play Committee, and Mr. Al-Salti Marwan, a member of the Palestinian National Assembly, Mr. Al-Salti Munir, the Hungarian secretary of the Fatah Movement, Mr. Mulhem Nabil the honorary president of the Hungarian Palestinian Community Association, Mr. Maharig Gablib the president of the Hungarian Palestinian Community Association and Mr. Faraj Abdulla member of the secretariat of the Hungarian Palestinian Community Association, Hungarian atheletes of Palestinian origins were honored by the Embassy of the State of Palestinein Budapest.
Five athletes were awarded at the ceremony:
Antoan Habas is a Hungarian boxing champion and coach
Dália Al-Salti is a Hungarian gymnastics champion
Awaad Ahmed water polo, swimming champion
Awwad Zoja is a swimmer, water polo champion, member of the Hungarian national team
Al-Salti Maria is an excellent and promising young sports champion in swimming and chess
Photo: Palestinian Embassy
In a recorded interview, Dr. Fadi Elhusseini, the Palestinian ambassador, emphasized that the purpose of this award is not only to build more bridges between the two nations, but also to show a real picture and highlight the active role of the Palestinians in the Hungarian society. He added, we wish as well encourage the young generation of Palestinian origins to strengthen their connection with their roots.
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Interview with Palestinian Ambassador Dr Elhusseini on Israel, Hungarian-Palestinian relations and many others – check it out HERE
In order to achieve this, the Embassy gave the athletes an official invitation to visit Palestine and to visit the national sports associations in each sport. Ambassador Elhusseini added that the current award is a precedent, as it encouraged others, and new nominations were indeed made for awarding other excellent athletes of Palestinian origins. In view of the importance of the above, the Embassy will provide the opportunity to receive further nominations for excellent talents, not only in sports, but also in other fields.
Counselor Mr. Al-Salti Zafer, Second Secretary Mr. Mohammed Al-Hamdallah, Mr. Walid Diab, Dr. Hussam Rajab, and Ms. Dr. Rawan Abuzarqa participated as well in the ceremony on behalf of the Embassy.
The delegation of the Hungarian Federation of Churches (MEÖT) concluded a four-day visit to Palestine, which was coordinated by the Higher Presidential Committee to follow up the affairs of churches in Palestine and in cooperation with the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Hungary. The visit included many meetings with national and religious leaders and field visits.
MEÖT delegation was received by the Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Shtayyeh. On behalf of Dr. Ramzi Khoury, member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Chairman of the Higher Presidential Committee for the Follow-up of Church Affairs in Palestine, MEÖT delegation met with the members of the Presidential Committee, Dr. Varsin Aghabekian and Musa Hadid, in addition to Mr. Raed Hanania. MEÖT delegation met as well with His H.E. Patriarch Theophilus, the President of the Council of Churches of the Holy Land, Patriarch of the Holy City of the Greek Orthodox Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, the Patriarchal Vicar of the Greek Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Vindicttus, the Patriarch of the Church of Saint Catherine of the Latins, Father Rami Askarieh, and the Syriac Orthodox Archbishop, Mar Antimos Jack Yacoub, Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sani Azar, the Patriarchal Vicar in Jerusalem and Palestine for Latin Bishop William Shomali, the Deputy of the Custody of the Holy Land, Father Ibrahim Faltas, the President and Director of Dar Al-Kalima University, Rev. Dr. Mitri Al-Raheb, the former Bishop of the Lutheran Church, Munib Younan, Bishop Afram Al-Suryan, and Bishop Ibrahim Azar Dr. Jad Isaac, Director of the ARIJ Center, Father George in the Cremisan Monastery, and Professor Gabriel Hanna, Director of Media at Bethlehem Bible College.
A meeting was also held with the Mayor of Bethlehem, Mr. Hanna Hanania, Mayor of Beit Sahour Hani Al-Hayek, Deputy Custos of the Holy Land, Dr. Jack Sarah, Reverend Dr. Munther Ishaq, Head of the Joint List, Member of the Arab Knesset Ayman Odeh, and Honorary Consul of Hungary in Palestine Nassar Khamis. MEÖT delegation started the visit by meeting with members of the Presidential Committee, Dr. Kholoud Daibes, Jihad Khair, and the Director of Public Relations and Media, Raed Hanania.
In addition to the meetings, the visit of the MEÖT delegation included a field tour that included the cities of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Ramallah, which included visits to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Church of the Nativity, the Latin Church of Santa Catherine, St Jerome’s Cave beneath the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem came the most enduring version of the Bible ever translated, House of the Magi, Bethlehem where the delegation learned about the historical stages that Bethlehem went through, in addition to the process of rebuilding the Church of the Nativity throughout history. Accompanied by Father George, MEÖT delegation visited Cremisan Monastery and was briefed on the services provided by the monastery since 1885 until today, and the occupation confiscation warrants to extend the separation (apartheid) wall.
The tour included a visit to Bethlehem Bible College, the Areej Institute, Dar Al-Kalima University, a visit to the tomb and museum of Yasser Arafat, the siege area, and another tour around the Palestinian camps and the apartheid wall, where the delegation was able to learn about the political and field conditions, including Israeli settler attacks and incursions into sanctities that did not differentiate between Christians or Muslims, whether in Jerusalem, Bethlehem or the other Palestinian cities. What matters is targeting the Palestinian presence in the holy land, regardless of its religious background. The delegation had the opportunity to learn about the continuous attempts of the Israeli occupation to control properties belonging to churches in several areas, and about the Israeli policies and laws at the aim of imposing illegal taxes on churches. Such policies were categorically rejected by all the patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem as they directly lead to imposing hard conditions on Christian presence in Palestine and enforce many to leave the holy land due to such Israeli measures. The delegation had the chance as well to learn more about illegal settlement expansions, particularly in Bethlehem, some of which belong to churches.
The delegation was also briefed on the role of the Presidential Committee to establish the Christian presence in Palestine, especially in the face of the Israeli measures and policies that caused a significant decline in their numbers, such as the confiscation of the lands of Christian families in favor of the apartheid wall, permit policy that deprives thousands of access to the city of Jerusalem, in addition to the “reunification” procedure, which prohibits non-Palestinian husband or wife from entering or residing in Palestine. The reunification policy, implemented by the Israeli occupation, has prompted thousands to leave Palestine, the holy land, in search of another country where they can have this basic law for any family: unity.
Following the visit, the delegation thanked the Higher Presidential Committee for the Follow-up of Church Affairs for the good reception, the successful organization of this visit. The delegation was led by Lutheran bishop Péter Kondor and councilor András Gér. Baptist church president János Papp, Methodist superintendent Khaled A. László, Romanian Orthodox deacon Marius Magyar and MEÖT general secretary Vilmos Fischl were also members of the delegation.
Also read our interview with Palestinian Ambassador Dr Elhusseini on Israel, Hungarian-Palestinian relations and many others, details HERE.
We interviewed His Excellency Ambassador Dr Fadi Elhusseini, head of the Palestinian embassy in Hungary. During the interview he touched on relations with Israel, Hungarian-Palestinian cooperation, tourism, culture and many other interesting topics:
Daily News Hungary (DNH): In what part of Palestine were you born? And what was the most memorable experience you had as a child in relation to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict?
HE Ambassador Dr Fadi Elhusseini: I was born in the city of Gaza. I grew up in a fully occupied city, watching occupation soldiers touring around the city; willing to bully, detain or harass anyone because simply had the weapons. I can recall my most memorable experience from my trip to Egypt (through Rafah Crossing). Since the occupation controls everything, one has to be checked when he leaves or returns to Palestine. Every time you see the soldiers checking your passport and documents, asking personal questions and making you feel uncomfortable or subject to arrest at any moment – these are things I could never erase from memory. Experiencing discrimination to the core; when seeing others – none Palestinians – able to pass, drive or walk when you can’t simply because you are Palestinian is another life-defying experience.
DNH: And how did you become a diplomat? It must have been challenging to grow up and receive a quality education in such a conflict-ridden place.
Ambassador Elhusseini: Challenges are always there when you are under occupation. However, I tried to face all the hardships and acquire an ample amount of education and knowledge to better serve the cause. I finished my BA in Economics & Political Science in Egypt. I obtained my MA in International Commerce Laws and policies from Italy and finished my Ph.D. in International Relations and History from England, not to mention scores of training courses in relevant fields. Believing that I would serve Palestine in the field of diplomacy, I joined, in 1998, what was known back then as the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation – which acted as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Working in different departments, and serving Palestine in different embassies, my diplomatic career evolved further and I had the fortune to serve Palestine here in Hungary.
Source Palestine Embassy, Hungary
DNH: You are well aware of the conditions there. Aren’t people, whether Palestinian or Israeli, tired of decades of warfare?
Ambassador Elhusseini: I don’t believe any people on earth would wish to live in such conditions. Palestinians are like any other people in the world; they wish to live peacefully, enjoy their families, celebrate, sing, travel and experience freedom. However, sometimes things are imposed on you and your options become limited. Living under occupation wasn’t an option… seeking freedom eventually is not an option either.
DNH: What do you think would be the three most important points of a possible agreement between the two countries that would result in a much calmer climate?
Well, your question is so much to the point. I will tell you the magical recipe that would not only result in a more stable climate but would also resolve the entire conflict: END ILLEGAL OCCUPATION. The moment Israel realises that ending its occupation is the key element in the whole equation, not only Palestine but the whole region will have a chance for a brighter future. Opportunities for stability and prosperity will not exclude anyone. The rest are just details and repercussions.
DNH: We know very well that the Hungarian and Israeli governments are very close. What about political and business relations between Hungary and Palestine?
Ambassador Elhusseini: On politics, relations have been and will always be good, yet differences in views and assessments can occur. Palestine and Hungary have been always on good terms. Palestine opened an office in Budapest in 1975 and the office enjoyed diplomatic status in 1982. In 1988, Hungary became one of the first nations to recognise Palestine and the office became a fully-fledged embassy. Both nations share a many common values, similar experiences and views on plenty of issues, particularly what relates to occupation, population and expatriates (refugees), family and even attempts to nullify national sovereignty by imposing certain educational conditions. This background explains the Palestinian dismay by certain statements and positions that were neither backed by common values and shared background nor based on international law and UN resolutions. On Business relations, the figures for trade and investments are modest when compared to our rich history and relations. However, we are working ardently to change this unsatisfactory condition and soon the new numbers will be louder than any words.
Source: Palestine Embassy, Hungary
DNH: Can you mention a few examples of their cultural cooperation?
Ambassador Elhusseini: In the embassy of Palestine, we believe that culture is a universal language. We reckon that introducing our culture and history to Hungarians is a duty and introducing Hungarian culture to Palestinians is a must-learning experience. We work closely with Hungary’s representative office in Palestine to develop cultural cooperation between the two countries, either through agreements or cultural events. In Hungary, we have participated in and organised numerous cultural activities throughout the past two years. We use Social Media platforms as well to introduce our culture, history, traditions and much more. Many events that are aimed at introducing our culture are scheduled in the upcoming period and ads will be posted so everyone can come and get a taste of the Palestinian culture. In addition, Palestine enjoys educational scholarships (Stipendium hungaricum) and every year we have Palestinian students either joining or graduating from Hungarian universities. We are happy that each student returning to Palestine is taking with him or her memories and experience in Hungary. In return, Palestine offers scholarships to Hungary and we do always encourage Hungarians to join. This is how we build more bridges between our people.
DNH: Palestine has a number of biblical sites. Could you list the most notable ones for us?
Ambassador Elhusseini: Palestine – all of Palestine is a biblical site – it is the holy land… it is the birthplace of Jesus and it is where Jesus lived, walked and preached. Aside from trees, mountains, routes and places where Jesus lived or walked through, I would say the church of the Nativity in Bethlehem (where Jesus was born), the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City of Jerusalem (contains two sites considered holy in Christianity: the site where Jesus was crucified and Jesus’s empty tomb, which is where he was buried and resurrected) and also the Mount of Temptation in the city of Jericho (Christian tradition identifies it as the location of the temptation of Jesus).
DNH: What other tourist destinations do you suggest to Hungarian tourists?
Ambassador Elhusseini: I would always recommend visiting Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, the third most important site for Muslims where Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) reached at the end of his night journey, or Isra, from the sacred mosque of Makkah. So, in addition to Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Jericho, visit Ramallah, a vibrant city where history embraces modernity, where you can admire modern shopping malls and old city markets, where a tourist can enjoy classic music and Orchestra next to modern nightlife. Throughout the day, you can also visit museums and exhibitions. There are other cities where tourists can find ancient places and business hubs like Hebron, Nablus, Gaza and Jenin.
DNH: There is no international airport in Palestine. How can we get there from Budapest?
Ambassador Elhusseini: The best way is through Jordan. Flights to Jordan are frequent and the airport is one hour from the borders. If the tourists decide to take this route, they will be guaranteed to touch the lowest point on earth and see the Mount of Temptation (Jericho) upon entering Palestine.
Source: Palestine Embassy, Hungary
DNH: Palestine and Hungary are relatively far apart. Do you think Palestinians know some tidbits about Hungary?
Ambassador Elhusseini: There is some knowledge but not enough. I believe that much work is needed to build bridges and to make the Palestinians know more about Hungary, its history and culture. As such, tourism must be boosted, and in parallel, exchange programmes, scholarships, institutional visits, cultural activities and films must be organised and this is what we are working on.
DNH: How would you describe the Palestinian community in Hungary?
Ambassador Elhusseini: The Palestinian community consists of a few hundred souls, in addition to hundreds of students. We have Palestinian businessmen, engineers, doctors and other individuals who work in different professions. What I can assure you is that despite the fact that the Palestinian community is not big in size – compared to other communities– it is a vibrant, and active part of Hungarian society. Many of them were honoured by the Hungarian government for their extraordinary contributions, and others were listed among the most influential personalities in Hungary.
DNH: What are the three things you will miss most about Hungary once your posting is over?
Ambassador Elhusseini: Being away from Hungary has become hard already. However, I would say that the people and their warmth are the first things I will miss. The tranquility of walking along the shore of the Danube is another thing I will never forget. The beauty of the city and the essence of a rich history that rises from every castle, cathedral or building are definitely things that will accompany me for the rest of my life.
In recent weeks, tensions between Russia and Ukraine have been increasing, and the entire world is watching with attentive eyes what is going to happen between the two countries.
The tension has been so high that some started fleeing Ukraine, and even film crews have relocated their shoots to be filmed elsewhere.
According to the report of Index, Netflix hit series Fauda, which depicts the conflict between Palestine and Israel, is currently shooting its fourth season.
The main character of the series is Lior Raz, who has also been featured in Hit & Run, but he has a past serving in the Israel Defense Forces. The time of his service became the inspiration to make a series that depicts the conflict between the two nations in a rudely accurate manner.
Avi Issacharoff was also working on the development of the series. One of the most important things to know about him is that he is an Israeli-Palestine conflict expert.
Fauda has won several television awards over the past few years. In 2017, it was featured among The New York Times’ best international television series. Most critics welcomed the series because of its brutal honesty and ambiguity of the conflict, showing a back-and-forth of who the “villains” are.
Indexwrote that the crew wanted to shoot in Ukraine because, according to the story element of the new season, terrorists will bring hostages with them to Brussels.
Since the cost of shooting in the capital of Belgium would have been too high, the crew wanted to record in Kyiv, but due to the uncertainties of the current situation between Russia and Ukraine, they decided to move the location to Budapest.
Danna Stern, a spokesperson, told The Algemeiner that “[d]ue to the current uncertainty in Ukraine and our tight schedule, production felt it was best to choose a new filming location abroad”.
They also reported that the recording would take place in “multiple set locations” in Budapest and that the filming has not started yet, but they expect to begin to shoot in the Hungarian capital around mid-March.
The 10-episode new season of Fauda is estimated to be aired around mid-2022 in Israel and will be available on Netflix internationally not long after.
Hungary stands by Israel which is its friend and an ally, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó told Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, at their talks in Jerusalem on Tuesday.
Hungary considers Israel a friend, so it is natural that Hungary will stand by its friend when it comes under attack, Szijjártó told a press briefing after the talks.
Netanyahu expressed thanks for Hungary’s support and Szijjártó reassured him that Hungary would take the same position in the future as well.
Szijjártó said Hungary would veto any future statement or resolution that was “unfair” to the Middle Eastern country, took an anti-Israel stance or had anti-Semitic undertones.
Though Israel was attacked by a terrorist organisation in the form of Hamas, this was not made clear in the international political arena, Szijjártó said. The international community failed to stand by Israel due to “hypocrisy and double standards”, he added.
Szijjártó said Israel and Hamas had practically been treated as equals on the international political scene, “as if Hamas were some kind of NGO”. However, it should be made clear that Hamas is a terrorist group that attacked Israel, he said.
Israel has a right to defend itself, Szijjártó told Hungarian public media during his visit.
“We regret that international political organisations have not taken a joint stance on the situation,” he added.
“We regret that it wasn’t made clear that Israel had been attacked by a terrorist organisation and that certain international organisations wanted to treat Israel and Hamas as equals, as if Hamas were an NGO,” he said. “And we also regret that international organisations don’t make it clear that Israel has a right to defend itself.”
Hungary has vetoed multiple resolutions and statements in both the European Union and the United Nations that were “extremely unfair” to Israel, he said.
“They took a totally biased and anti-Israel approach to the situation,” Szijjártó said.
“We have never supported such anti-Israel positions and will not support them in the future either.”
European Union foreign ministers called on Tuesday for a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas and boosted humanitarian aid for Gaza, but failed to reach the unanimity that might give the EU leverage in peacemaking.
Hungary, Israel’s closest ally in the bloc, declined to join the other 26 foreign ministers in calling for a truce on their video call, convened by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
Nevertheless, the other ministers vowed that the EU would try to relaunch the peace process along with the United States, Russia and the United Nations.
“As a minimum we can try to get a ceasefire, then provide humanitarian aid, and then see what can be done to restart the Middle East peace process to address the root causes of the violence,” Maltese Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo told Reuters.
“We cannot let the extremists on both sides feed off each other and set the agenda,” he said.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told reporters in Paris that the Middle East quartet of mediators, comprising the EU, Russia, the United Nations and the United States, was the right forum to push for a resumption of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, which has been moribund since 2014.
“We must relaunch the peace process as quickly as possible and find a path to dialogue,” he said.
SLOW TO RESPOND
Weeks of Israeli-Palestinian tensions boiled over into armed conflict at the start of last week, and Turkey in particular has criticised the West’s failure to respond quickly.
Washington has long been the key broker in Middle East peacemaking, but President Joe Biden did not publicly back the idea of a ceasefire until a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday..
The EU is Israel’s biggest trade partner and a big aid donor to the Palestinians. But it has been reluctant to use such leverage or discuss possible economic sanctions on Israel’s government.
Borrell said he had spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday.
At least eight smaller EU states, led by Luxembourg and including Belgium, Ireland, Malta and Finland, are vocal defenders of the Palestinians. Several Belgian lawmakers called this week for EU travel bans and asset freezes on Israeli politicians over the violence.
Germany, which still carries a burden of guilt over the Nazi crimes of World War Two, is unwilling to discuss coercive measures against Israel, but pledged 40 million euros ($49 million) on Tuesday in humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza.
Others, including Hungary, the Czech Republic, Austria, Greece, Cyprus and Poland, are more ready to speak out in Israel’s favour. Austria flew an Israeli flag over the federal chancellery in Vienna on Friday. And in Hungary’s nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, Netanyahu has found an ally prepared to block statements or actions critical of Israel.
“The European Union should have, right now, a leading role (in defusing the crisis). It doesn’t have that role, either because of differences in approach by member states or because there is no strategic approach from Brussels,” Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides told Cyprus’s Alpha TV.
Six-year-old Suzy Eshkuntana woke up alone in Gaza’s largest hospital where she was rushed by rescuers from the rubble of her home, which had been wrecked by a pre-dawn Israeli strike that killed her mother and all four of her siblings.
The young girl, trapped for seven hours under the debris, was reunited in Shifa hospital with her father, who was also being treated for his wounds.
“Forgive me, my daughter. You screamed to me to come to you, but I couldn’t come,” Riyad Eshkuntana told her after medics brought them together in adjoining beds.
The Palestinian family’s home was hit in Israeli air strikes early on Sunday on Gaza City, a wave of attacks that Gaza health officials said killed 42 people including 10 children and raised the death toll in Gaza from a week of bombardment to 192.
Israel says it is attacking the militant Islamist Hamas movement that controls the densely populated Gaza Strip and that along with Islamic Jihad and other militant groups has fired 2,800 rockets towards Israeli cities.
Those rocket barrages have killed 10 people in Israel, including two children. They have also sent millions of Israelis scrambling to “safe rooms” and shelters as rocket warning sirens go off at all hours of the day and night.
“The reason we have these casualties is because Hamas is criminally attacking us from civilian neighbourhoods,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. broadcaster CBS.
The strike on the Eshkuntana home was in the same area as an Israeli strike on a militant tunnel system in Gaza. The collapse of the tunnel system caused the houses above to collapse and led to unintended civilian casualties, the military said.
Dozens of rescue workers, police officers, relatives and neighbours gathered at the wreckage of the Eshkuntana house during the search and rescue operation.
After several hours workers under the collapsed walls began to chant “Allahu Akbar” – God is greatest – a signal that someone would be brought out alive.
Suzy, covered in dust and too weak to raise her head, wept as she was taken to an ambulance.
At the hospital, relatives anxiously asked for details as the casualties arrived.
“Is this Yehya? It is Yehya?” cried women and men waiting at the reception hall, shortly before medics told them that the four-year-old boy, Suzy’s brother, was dead.
Two of the women fainted.
Minutes later, the body of a girl was rushed in. “They brought Dana. Dana, Dana, are you okay?” they asked. But the young girl was also dead, along with another brother and sister.
Seeing Suzy with her eyes open brought a brief moment of joy before she was quickly taken away for X-rays. Doctors said she was bruised but had no severe injuries, and she was brought to a hospital bed next to her father.
Riyad Eshkuntana said he had believed his family were secure because there were doctors living in the same building, and he had put the children in what they believed to be a safe room.
“Suddenly, a strange rocket, like fire and flame, destroyed two walls,” he told Reuters. The parents ran to check on their children when a second explosion hit, collapsing the ceiling.
“I heard my son Zain calling: ‘Daddy, daddy’. His voice was okay, but I couldn’t turn to look at him because I was trapped,” he said.
When rescuers first called out for survivors, Eshkuntana was too weak to shout back, but when someone returned half an hour later he was able to get their attention.
Lying on the hospital bed next to his surviving daughter, his head bandaged, he said at first he had wanted to die.
“I was filled with all the anger of the universe, but when I heard that one of my daughters was alive, I said thank God because this girl might capture some – even a little – of my daughters’ smile because she is their sister.”
Israel bombed what it said were underground tunnels used by Hamas and Palestinian militants fired rocket barrages at Israeli cities as fighting spilled into a second week on Monday and international calls for a ceasefire mounted.
After a night of heavy Israeli air strikes on areas across the Islamist Hamas-run enclave, Israel’s military said Gaza militants had fired about 60 rockets towards Israeli cities overnight, down from 120 and 200 the two previous nights.
A Palestinian sponge factory in northern Gaza was hit in a morning air strike and firefighters battled to quell the blaze, which sent plumes of smoke into the air. One Palestinian was killed in an air strike later in the morning, medics said.
After rockets were fired from Gaza at the Israeli cities of Beersheba and Ashkelon, Israeli jets bombed what the military said were 15 km of underground tunnels used by Hamas. It also struck nine residences belonging to high-ranking Hamas commanders, it said.
With the sounds of Israeli bombardment continuing throughout the morning, Gaza residents rushed to bakeries and drugstores to stock up on bread and other essentials.
“My children couldn’t sleep all night even after the wave of intensive bombing stopped,” said Umm Naeem, 50, a mother of five, as she shopped for bread in Gaza City. “What is happening to us is too much, but Jerusalem deserves all the sacrifices.”
Gaza health officials put the death toll since the hostilities flared at 198, including 58 children and 34 women. Ten people have been killed in Israel, including two children, Israeli authorities say.
Hamas began its rocket assault last Monday after weeks of tensions over a court case to evict several Palestinian families in East Jerusalem, and in retaliation for Israeli police clashes with Palestinians near the city’s al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
World concern had already deepened after an Israeli air strike in Gaza that destroyed several homes on Sunday and which Palestinian health officials said killed 42 people, including 10 children, and persistent rocket attacks on Israeli towns.
“All parties need to deescalate tensions – the violence must end immediately”, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote on Twitter, injecting more urgency into Washington’s calls for calm after speaking with Egypt’s foreign minister.
At a U.N. Security Council meeting on Sunday, the United States said it had made clear to Israel, the Palestinians and others that it was ready to offer support “should the parties seek a ceasefire”.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s campaign in Gaza was continuing at “full force”, and that deterrence had to be achieved to prevent future conflict with Hamas.
“We are acting now, for as long as necessary, to restore calm and quiet to you, Israel’s citizens. It will take time,” Netanyahu said in a televised address after his security Cabinet met on Sunday.
SUSTAINED CALM
U.S. President Joe Biden said his administration was working with all parties towards achieving a sustained calm.
In New York, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council that the United Nations was “actively engaging all sides toward an immediate ceasefire” and urged them “to allow mediation efforts to intensify and succeed.” U.N. envoys have helped to mediate past truces between Israel and Hamas.
Washington, a strong ally of Israel, has been isolated at the United Nations over its objection to a public statement by the Security Council on the violence because it worries it could harm behind-the-scenes diplomacy.
Jordan’s King Abdullah said his kingdom was involved in intensive diplomacy to halt the bloodshed, but gave no details.
The Israeli military said Hamas, a group regarded by Israel, the United States and the European Union as a terrorist movement, and other armed factions have fired about 3,150 rockets from Gaza over the past week.
Israel’s missile defence system intercepted around 90% of the rockets, and around 460 landed in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas said its attacks were in retaliation for Israel’s “ongoing aggression against civilians”, including the air strike in Gaza City on Sunday that destroyed a number of homes.
The Israeli military said civilian casualties were unintentional and that its jets attacked a tunnel system used by militants, which collapsed, bringing the homes down. Hamas called it “pre-meditated killing”.
On U.S. network CBS’ “Face the Nation” programme, Netanyahu defended another Israeli air strike a day earlier that destroyed a 12-storey building where the Associated Press and the Al Jazeera TV network had offices.
He said the structure also housed the militant group’s intelligence office, making it a legitimate target.
Israel had given advance warning to occupants to leave. The Associated Press has condemned the strike and called on Israel to present evidence that Hamas was in the building.
