In the interview, the Prime Minister explained that "we are clearly not anti-Semitic. It is our duty to refute these accusations and also to consider why people who judge Hungary from the outside today include anti-Semitism as one of our country's characteristics". According to Mr. Orbán, this is a consequence of history.
"Look around in Europe, and especially in its eastern half: Hungary is the only country in which - despite the Nazi reign of terror - there is an original, large Jewish population. Accordingly, Hungarian anti-Semitism isn't a theoretical question, but a personal issue", he said. The Hungarian Jewish families who survived the holocaust live here, as do those Hungarians who collaborated with the Nazis. This cohabitation raises more issues than in other countries, he added.
In reply to a question regarding the statement by Jobbik MP Márton Gyöngyösi, that a list of Jews should be compiled, the Prime Minister said that there is an extreme right party in Parliament that received 17 percent of the votes at the last election. In his opinion, representatives of the Jobbik party often say things that are unacceptable. "If I am present in Parliament when such statements are made I always make it clear that I do not agree with them. Our policy towards anti-Semitism is one of zero tolerance", he added.
The Prime Minister agreed with a question regarding the possible danger posed by Jobbik. It is a "real and increasing danger", he said. In his opinion, the reasons for this can be found in the economic recession that is seriously affecting the EU. Political views that are fuelled by hatred, anger and frustration regarding the economic situation are cropping up throughout the world. There is a tendency in Europe to search for scapegoats, and this is always dangerous, he added. "We in Hungary must be very wary and step up as categorically as possible against this phenomenon. If we wish to protect democracy we must be very determined in opposing Jobbik", he said.
Prime Minister Orbán also mentioned some of the measures introduced by the Government to combat anti-Semitism and extremism in general. "The freedom of speech is very important in a democracy, but when the freedom of speech comes into conflict with respect for others, it is something that the current Government is not prepared to accept. Jobbik's paramilitary organisations, which operated freely during the liberal government, have been banned. Laws have been passed that make the organisation of similar groups illegal. It has been made clear that incitement to hatred and holocaust denial are regarded as crimes", he said, listing just some of these measures. "If someone violates the respect of a community, they may face prosecution according to both the penal and civil codes. This is not true of any other European country, and it is something we re proud of", he added.
In the interview, the Chairman of Fidesz clearly ruled out any possible future cooperation with Jobbik and the possibility of forming a minority government with their support. "I have never been the leader of a minority government and I never will be one", he declared. "That is not good for democracy", he said in justification.
The Prime Minister explained that there is a new kind of anti-Semitism in Europe; deeply rooted anti-Israeli politics. However, is his view not everyone who criticises Israel's politics should automatically be viewed as being anti-Semitic. "It must be made clear that if criticism of Israel oversteps rationally acceptable limits, then that is anti-Semitism. However, if we have any kind of logical arguments against the policies of any present or future Israeli government, then we have a right to express them", he added.
With reference to the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Holocaust in Hungary, the Prime Minister said that "the Jewish and Hungarian victims of the holocaust, whom we did not protect sufficiently, live among us, and so it is difficult to face the past, but this is something we cannot shy away from. We have done more in recent years with regard to this issue than anyone else in previous decades." He reminded the paper's readers that as Prime Minister during his first term in office, he had introduced the holding of Holocaust Remembrance Days in every school in Hungary.
With regard to Israeli-Hungarian relations, the Prime Minister said that he views the State of Israel's Hungarian community as especially important. "In my interpretation, they are part of the Hungarian nation", he stressed.
(Prime Minister’s Office)
