This week, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that Jewish communities are than anywhere else in Europe, with Anti-Defamation League data indicating a significant increase in antisemitic incidents throughout the continent.
In an X post, Orbán wrote, “Jewish communities are safer in Budapest than anywhere else in Europe. Zero tolerance for antisemitism, no hate crimes, no violent migrants. This is how a modern European capital ought to be.”
Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli publicly supported Orbán’s claim, writing on X that “Budapest is one of the safest and most welcoming European capitals for its Jewish community and for Israeli citizens alike.”
Chikli referenced what he called a recent decision by the not to host a Zionist Youth Congress for roughly 200 Jewish young people, noting that Hungary consented to host the gathering and that a senior Hungarian minister gave a speech.
According to Chikli, Hungary’s approach derives from “a responsible immigration policy that recognizes the danger posed by radical Islam” and “an uncompromising government policy against antisemitism.”
Orbán’s comments follow an Anti-Defamation League (ADL) report indicating that is increasing at a concerning rate. In a 2024–2025 analysis titled Take Action: Antisemitism Is Escalating in Europe, the ADL documented a rise in antisemitic harassment, vandalism, threats, and physical assaults across various European nations, especially after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the Gaza war.
The ADL noted that incidents increased significantly in nations such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Jewish communities reported growing security threats, and many Jews indicated they felt insecure wearing visible religious symbols in public. The ADL cautioned that Jewish institutions throughout Europe now need enhanced security and that antisemitism is becoming more normalized in public discussion.
Hungary hosts Central Europe’s largest Jewish community, with population estimates between 80,000 and 100,000, the majority residing in Budapest.
Hungarian Jewish leaders have provided varied evaluations over time. Some have commended the government for its investment in synagogue restoration, , as well as for preserving close diplomatic relations with Israel. Others have voiced concerns about nationalist rhetoric and disagreements over historical memory, specifically concerning Hungary’s role in the Holocaust.
Prior to World War II, Hungary possessed one of Europe’s largest Jewish populations, estimated at approximately 825,000 individuals. After the German occupation in March 1944, Hungarian and Nazi officials deported around 430,000–440,000 Jews to Auschwitz within weeks, with most being killed upon arrival. In total, historians estimate that roughly 564,000 Hungarian Jews perished during the Holocaust.
Orbán’s administration has consistently denied domestic accusations of antisemitism, citing its and its public stance against antisemitic violence. Hungarian authorities often compare Budapest to major Western European cities where Jewish institutions currently need substantial police protection and where Gaza war-related protests have occasionally become violent.
The ADL states that antisemitic narratives have now permeated Europe’s political spectrum and online platforms, fostering an atmosphere of fear even in nations previously regarded as secure for Jewish living.