October 24, 2012

BUDAPEST, Hungary (JTA) — An Israeli flag was burned in front of a Budapest synagogue.

The incident occurred Tuesday in downtown central Budapest, in front of the Dohany Street Synagogue. The Israeli flag reportedly was desecrated by members of Jobbik, an ultrarightist Hungarian political party. The Jobbik members were taking part in the day’s commemorative events recalling the Hungarian anti-Communist revolution in 1956.

The revolt of 1956 was remembered Tuesday in Hungary, including by the leader of the Jobbik Party. Gabor Vona criticized any cooperation between Hungary and Israel. He said that the “agreement between Hungary and Israel should be canceled.”

Israel Ambassador to Hungary Ilan Mor , appearing Tuesday on the liberal opposition’s Hungarian television program on the ATV-channel,  reacted to the anti-Israeli criticism of the ultra-rightist, anti-Semitic party, demanding that “Hungarian democratic forces should refuse this unacceptable anti-Israeli act and criticism.”
 

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