Orban and the far-rightists who spoke up for him are not the kind of company that Israeli leaders would have kept in the past. If they aren’t overtly antisemitic, they represent the dark forces of nationalism and illiberalism that Israeli leaders have traditionally shunned as not only bad for the Jews living in their countries but also antithetical to Israeli interests and values.
Last month, Hungarian leader Viktor Orban got an election campaign boost from his far-right colleagues across Europe—a coordinated endorsement from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni; Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic; and the leaders of France’s National Rally, Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD), Spain’s Vox, and Austria’s Freedom parties. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lent his voice as well, extolling Orban in prerecorded remarks for “the tenacity, the courage, the wisdom to protect his country and to protect his people.”
Last month, Hungarian leader Viktor Orban got an election campaign boost from his far-right colleagues across Europe—a coordinated endorsement from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni; Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic; and the leaders of France’s National Rally, Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD), Spain’s Vox, and Austria’s Freedom parties. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lent his voice as well, extolling Orban in prerecorded remarks for “the tenacity, the courage, the wisdom to protect his country and to protect his people.”
Orban and the far-rightists who spoke up for him are not the kind of company that Israeli leaders would have kept in the past.
Continue Reading on Foreign Policy
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.