Herzog visits Budapest, meets President Baka as Hungary vows stable ties

Israeli President Isaac Herzog travelled to Budapest on Monday for a one-day visit, where he was received by Hungary's President András Baka at Sándor Palace, according to a statement issued by the Israeli President's Spokesperson. The two heads of state held a private meeting followed by a broader bilateral session, and then each addressed the media.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Herzog met both President Baka and Prime Minister Magyar during the trip, and that Hungary pledged to keep its relationship with Israel stable. In his remarks, Baka described ties between the two countries as "cordial and stable" and said Hungary intends to continue what he called pragmatic cooperation with Israel, which he named as an important economic partner.

Who the leaders are

Israel's president is the head of state, a role that is largely ceremonial and separate from the prime minister, who leads the government. Herzog's visit brought him together with Hungarian counterparts who are both new to their posts. In his statement, Herzog congratulated Baka on taking office as president, and referred to Prime Minister Magyar's election last May as an expression of Hungarian democracy. Baka, for his part, said one purpose of the visit was to strengthen ties with what he called Hungary's new leadership.

Sándor Palace, where the meeting took place, is the seat of the Hungarian presidency in Budapest.

What each president said

Herzog framed his remarks around the approaching anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, noting that it will mark 70 years within days. He drew a parallel between that uprising against Soviet-era rule and Israel's own experience, saying both nations had learned that freedom "cannot be taken for granted."

He went on to describe Iran and its network of proxies as a threat extending well beyond the Middle East, and credited Hungary with acting as a friend and ally. He also said Hungary had played a role in encouraging balanced relations between Israel and the European Union, and that bilateral ties had grown considerably stronger over the past year, with cooperation in economic and technological fields.

Baka also reached back to 1956, observing that the Hungarian Revolution and the Suez Crisis took place at the same time. The Suez Crisis was a conflict in which Israel was directly involved. Baka said that although today's challenges differ, peace, security and stability should never be assumed.

Antisemitism and Jewish history

Both leaders addressed the history of Hungarian Jewry. Herzog spoke of Jewish communities that thrived in Hungary for centuries and contributed to its cultural, scientific and economic life, and of their devastation during the Holocaust, which in Hebrew is called the Shoah. He thanked Hungary for what he described as a zero-tolerance policy toward antisemitism.

Baka echoed that position, according to the official text of his remarks, saying Hungary condemns antisemitism in all forms, is committed to protecting Jewish communities, and is a safe place for Jewish people and other visitors. He added that Hungary takes the same stance in international forums.

The Voice of the People conference

Baka said Herzog was also in Budapest to take part in the Voice of the People conference, which he described as an initiative of the Israeli president, and said Hungary was pleased to host it. Neither report gives further details about the conference, such as its participants, agenda or schedule.

What the reports do not say

The government statement covers only the meeting with President Baka. At the time of Baka's welcome, Herzog said he was looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Magyar later in the visit. The Jerusalem Post headline says that meeting took place, but the material available does not describe what was discussed between Herzog and Magyar or whether any agreements resulted.

The reports do not name any specific economic or technology projects behind the cooperation both sides referred to, and they do not say whether any documents were signed during the visit. Prime Minister Magyar's first name is not given in either report, and no details are provided on the content of the Voice of the People conference itself.