Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó met representatives of Jewish organisations in New York on Wednesday evening, and assured them of Hungary’s support in their fight against antiSemitism. Addressing a UNESCO conference after his talks, Szijjártó noted the Hungarian government’s commitment to continuing its “zero tolerance” policy concerning antiSemitism in the future.

Concerning the European Union, Szijjártó said that the community would not be strong unless it “insists on its Judeo-Christian heritage”. He added that his government “disapproves of movements aimed at leaving nation states and Christianity behind”.

Szijjártó expressed concern about recent developments “indicating a rise of anti-Semitism in certain parts of western Europe”, insisting this was a consequence of “massive and uncontrolled migration”. He said “parallel societies” had emerged in many parts of western Europe, posing not only a security challenge but also giving possible rise to religious extremism, too.

On another subject Szijjártó said that Hungary considers Israel a strategic partner and supports “an honest and balanced approach” in international organisations concerning that country. He added that Hungary has “never supported dishonest or politically motivated” decisions against Israel.

Szijjártó also noted that the Hungarian government recently proposed a joint statement against anti-Semitism in the UN Human Rights Council, an initiative which was supported by 25 countries.

The foreign minister met with representatives of the AntiDefamation League, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organisations, National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry, B’nai B’irth organisation, World Jewish Congress, American Jewish Committee, and the Simon Wiesenthal Center.