PM Benjamin Netanyahu sends congratulations, invitation to PM Viktor Orbán

Following Fidesz’s victory in the April 8 parliamentary elections, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated PM Viktor Orbán on his re-election and extended an invitation to visit Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated re-elected Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán for his sweeping victory that resulted in a two-thirds parliamentary majority. According to The Times of Israel, PM Netanyahu invited his Hungarian counterpart to visit Israel and thanked Prime Minister Orbán for “Hungary’s support for Israel in international forums.”

At the end of March, Hungary was one of four countries joining the Unites States voting in support of Israel and against UNHCR’s condemnation.  of Israel on UNHCR’s vote which condemned Israel for settlement activity. Last December, Hungary was one of 35 abstaining countries on a United Nations General assembly vote that denounced US President Donald Trump’s decision to move the United States’ embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The Hungarian-Israeli bilateral diplomatic relationship has significantly strengthened in recent years. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to Budapest last July was the first by a head of government of Israel in nearly 30 years (the previous being Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir in 1989). During his visit, PM Netanyahu expressed his appreciation for the Hungarian government’s zero tolerance of anti-Semitism as well as the support given to the Jewish community living in Hungary. Prime Minister Orbán praised Netanyahu for serving his country as a “dedicated patriot,” adding that “[t]here’s a lot for us to learn from Israel, ladies and gentlemen, because Israel teaches the world and us that if you don’t fight for something, you will lose it.”

Today, Hungary has become one of Israel’s most important regional partners and the relationship will continue to grow under the new Orbán Government.