The Hungarian embassy held its annual celebration of the 1956 revolution on Thursday evening, marking 65 years since this important national event. For the first time ever the event was held in Jerusalem. An appropriately historic location was chosen as the venue--the storied Montefiore windmill in the Mishkenot Sha'ananim neighborhood just outside of the old city walls. Diplomats, civil society leaders, and friends of the embassy enjoyed drinks and refreshments to mark the occasion as the sun set in front of the old city of Jerusalem.
Reuven Rivlin, former President of Israel, said "I considered my participation at the reception particularly important on the one hand because it was held in Jerusalem and on the other hand because I attach great importance to the fight against anti-Semitism both in Europe and Hungary. Much has already been done, but there is still work to do.
Levente Benkő, Ambassador of Hungary, also drew attention to the venue of the reception, from where one could see the Old City of Jerusalem, holy place of the three monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. "It is the first time, but not the last, that we host a reception here" the Ambassador said, recalling that in March 2019, Hungary was the first country in the European Union to open a Trade Office in the city to further develop the already strong business relations.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was also the first time in two years that such a large-scale reception was held. Levente Benkő encouraged Israelis to travel to Hungary, which is a safe European destination, and emphasized the strategic alliance between Hungary and Israel: Budapest is the best friend of Jerusalem in the European Union, and Hungary can count on Israel as the most secure point in the Middle East. “Of the hundreds of thousands who fled oppression after the revolution in 1956, about twenty thousand settled in Israel” – stressed the Ambassador the importance of the revolution in the early days of the Middle Eastern country.
Israel’s Minister of Public Security Omer Bar Lev addressed the audience. Congratulating the people of Hungary on this important occasion, the minister noted Hungary’s close relationship with Israel, and the strong support Hungary has given Israel in recent years.
Minister Bar Lev cited specifically the support from Hungary for Israel at the UN, including boycotting the recent Durban anniversary convention, and opposing expanded authority of the International Criminal Court (ICC), along with support within the European Union for an expanded relationship with Israel. The minister noted the visit by Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Peter Szijjártó, to Israel during the recent war with Gaza as a show of support for Israel’s right to defend its citizens.
The minister also thanked Hungary for staunch support in preserving Jewish heritage within Hungary, including refurbishing synagogues and other historical Jewish structures, and just as importantly, for the physical protection of Jewish communities via combatting anti-semitism and advocating a zero-tolerance approach to anti-semitism.
Ambassador Benkő thanked the embassy staff for their dedication throughout the year, and in arranging the celebration in Jerusalem, and then invited guests to enjoy the live music and kosher catered dinner, including authentic Hungarian cuisine, such as goulash, and Hungarian blintzes. The ambassador then raised a toast with the minister to the success of Israel-Hungarian relations.
Among the many distinguished guests in attendance were former President of Israel Mr. Reuven Rivlin; deputy mayor of Jerusalem Mrs. Fleur Hassan-Nahoum; Ambassador Gil Haskel, head of protocol and former director of Mashav, Ambassador Dore Gold, president of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, CEO of IMUNA Mr. Ari Karp, Fundraising Director of IMUNA; Ms. Autumn Groat; Ephraim Kishon foundation, and members of the Ephraim Kishon foundation for strengthening Hungarian linguistic and cultural heritage in Israel.
Guests were delighted to enjoy live musical performances from Barczas / Besh o Drom Band.
Diplomacy.co.il offers congratulations to the Embassy of Hungary and the Hungarian people on the 65th anniversary of the 1956 revolution.
Steven Aiello
Photos Silvia G. Golan
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