Orban fails to impress Jewish leaders on anti-Semitism

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s speech against anti-Semitism at the World Jewish Congress (WJC) in Budapest on 5 May 2013 failed to impress organisers, as the far-right Jobbik party staged a rally against Jews in the Hungarian capital.

Orban condemned the rise in anti-Semitism in Hungary and in Europe more widely. He called it a danger that “threatens even us Christians” and voiced determination to stamp it out.

WJC head Ronald S. Lauder told press that several recent events in Hungary have caused him alarm. He said that anti-Semitism and incitement against the Roma minority are becoming commonplace and “even acceptable” in Hungary.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 18.03.13: Anger in Hungary at prize for 'anti-Semitic' reporter http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21834834

World Jews Congress: Press Release: WJC reaction: Orbán speech did not confront true nature of problem in Hungary http://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/news/13469/wjc_reaction_orb_n_speech_did_not_confront_true_nature_of_problem_in_hungary

EurActiv, 06.05.13: Hungary's Orbán stops short of censuring anti-Jewish party http://www.euractiv.com/central-europe/orban-stops-short-condemning-ant-news-519536

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