This first report on antisemitic incidents in Hungary represents a
landmark in the development of the Jewish community as it has been researched and
compiled by volunteers working within a communal framework that has long
existed in other Jewish communities, but which is new to Hungary.
The information that it contains suggests that these incidents are
taking place in an environment where government and it’s criminal justice
agencies are failing to acknowledge or abide by the undertakings they have
entered into, and which are expected of all European Union member states. They
also illustrate the sad fact that ignorance about Jews is widespread despite the
fact that the community has been present in Hungary for a long time, and that
too many people resort to suspicions and beliefs that should have no place in
modern society, when that society is under economic and political stress.
But the report also suggests that antisemitism is not getting worse: the
number of recorded incidents declined marginally; the majority involved
abusive, but not life threatening behaviour, and speech, and were associated
with members or sympathisers of the extreme right Jobbik party and it’s
associates.
