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🇮🇱 Israel /Elections & Politics

In Orban’s rule, Israelis saw a model for their own country. Will he also be one in defeat?

From Jerusalem Post · (3h ago) English Mixed tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • For years, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was seen by many in Israel, including supporters and critics of Benjamin Netanyahu, as a political model.
  • Orbán's recent electoral defeat has shifted the comparison, with Israeli opposition figures seeing it as a hopeful sign for their own political future.
  • Israelis are analyzing Orbán's loss through a local lens, particularly concerning whether his successor, Peter Magyar, will be as supportive of Israel as Orbán was.

The Jerusalem Post examines the shifting perception of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Israel following his significant electoral defeat. For years, Orbán was viewed by many Israelis, across the political spectrum, as a potential model for Israeli politics. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu often referred to Orbán as a 'true friend' of Israel, and his allies pointed to Orbán's policies as a means of ensuring the safety of Hungarian Jews amidst rising antisemitism elsewhere. Conversely, critics of Netanyahu saw Orbán's path as a dangerous descent into democratic backsliding.

Israel, soon.

— Gilad KarivReform rabbi and Knesset member from the liberal Democrats party, commenting on social media after Orbán's defeat.

Orbán's recent loss has dramatically altered this discourse. Israeli opposition figures, particularly those critical of Netanyahu's government, now view the Hungarian election results with optimism, seeing a potential parallel for an upset in Israel's upcoming elections. Gilad Kariv, a Reform rabbi and Knesset member, shared images of crowds celebrating Orbán's defeat, suggesting a new chapter could be on the horizon for Israel. The Israeli opposition movement UnXeptable echoed this sentiment, calling for unity among those who believe in a Jewish and democratic Israel.

Congrats, Hungary. A new chapter is on the horizon for Israel, too. It’s time for everyone who believes in a Jewish and democratic Israel to stand together and commit to that shared vision.

— UnXeptableIsraeli opposition movement's statement following Orbán's election loss.

However, the comparison is not solely about democratic trends. Israelis are also keenly focused on the implications for Israel's relationship with Hungary. Right-wing voices, who previously used the slogan 'Israel will not become Hungary,' are now ironically repurposing it to express reassurance that Israel will not follow Hungary's political trajectory. Olga Deutsch of NGO Monitor notes that the discussion in Israel is largely inward-looking, with less focus on Orbán's human rights record or the EU's Russia-Ukraine discourse, and more on what his defeat means for Israel. A key concern is whether Peter Magyar, Orbán's successor, will maintain the same level of support for Israel as Orbán did. Early indications suggest this may not be the case, as Magyar has indicated that Netanyahu could face arrest if he visits Hungary, due to Hungary's adherence to the International Criminal Court.

Israelis “view news from abroad through very local lenses... Rather, they debate his loss in the context of what that will mean for Israel.”

— Olga DeutschVice president of pro-Israel watchdog NGO Monitor, commenting on how Israelis interpret international news.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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