The Holocaust has been the greatest trauma for the Hungarian nation, Minister for Foreign Affairs János Martonyi told participants at the conference “Jewish Life and Anti-Semitism in Contemporary Europe.”

In his closing speech to the two-day event, organised by the Tom Lantos Institute and held in the Parliament Building, the Minister said that „the Holocaust had been committed by Hungarians against Hungarians; this is the greatest national trauma for us, which we must face”.

He emphasised that a constructive cohabitation is necessary, adding that “we believe in a Jewish renaissance in Hungary”. Minister Martonyi also stated that foreign policy has to be based on values and one must never forget about responsibility.

On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Tibor Navracsics said at the conference that the Hungarian state was also responsible for the Holocaust, in that it went against its own citizens and provided assistance to their extermination. The conference was attended by leaders of the political parties, heads of the largest churches as well as Israeli Finance Minister Yair Lapid and Israeli ambassador to Hungary Ilan Mor.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)