Israel's FM Cohen says Hungary will move embassy to Jerusalem
Cohen's announcement comes after meeting with his Hungarian counterpart, who touted Hungary-Israel ties as being at a 'historic peak'
Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on Wednesday said Hungary would become the first European Union state to move its embassy to Jerusalem, effectively recognizing the holy city as Israel's capital.
His announcement came as he met his Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó in Budapest, with the latter declaring that "cooperation between Hungary and Israel has reached a historic peak.”
“Hungary supports us in the international arena,” Cohen said, speaking at a Chabad synagogue. “More good news is that in a number of weeks, Hungary will be the first EU state to announce that it is moving its embassy to Jerusalem."
“This is great news for Jerusalem, the capital of the Jewish people for over 3,000 years,” he added.
During their meeting, Szijjártó criticized EU policy as biased toward the Jewish state, according to an Israeli Foreign Ministry statement. He also promised continued support to the Jewish state within international institutions, and that Budapest would appeal to the International Criminal Court in The Hague to thwart any Palestinian attempts to have Israel condemned.
The Hungarian diplomat expressed his country's opposition to the Palestinian Authority's “pay-for-slay” policy that gives a salary to terrorists imprisoned in Israeli jails. Szijjártó affirmed that Hungary supports Israel's right to self-defense, condemned terrorism, and called for "a fair approach towards Israel within the United Nations.”
He also reaffirmed Hungary's stance against antisemitism, and underlined "the role of illegal immigration in modern antisemitism.”
Cohen, who set out on a scheduled visit to four European countries - Croatia, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria - is slated to meet Hungarian President Katalin Novák. However, he will not meet Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
"Hungary has supported Israel for many years. The strengthening of the pro-Israeli front, along with other Central European countries, represents an important political and economic interest for the State of Israel," said Cohen.
"The war in Ukraine has turned Israel into a strategic asset for European countries, both in terms of regional security and energy. We will be delighted to support European countries and help them cope with the continent's new reality," he added.
During their meeting, Cohen and Szijjártó signed an agreement to renew scholarships that the Hungarian government has offered to Israeli students studying in the country. Under the agreement, Hungary will award 50 scholarships to Israeli students each year.