In an increasingly uncertain war situation, we have a duty to be concerned about what we can do to help refugees, but we can also be concerned about our own security. Our sense of security has been compounded by the fact that, as the Hungarian elections approach, the issue of antisemitism has been raised more and more in the political discourse. We asked the chief rabbi of EMIH-The Association of Hungarian Jewish Communities about this and his letter to the German Chancellor.
There are constant reports of the escalating bloody war in Ukraine.
We are following the events in Ukraine with great concern. At the same time, it is uplifting to witness the broad unity we are witnessing around the world, in Hungary and within the Hungarian Jewish community. Many people want to help, people are going to the border with donations and coming back with refugees. Every day I receive inquiries from people about how they can help. Some offer their homes, others volunteer.
What have EMIH and the Hungarian Jewish community been able to do for the refugees from Ukraine in recent days?
In the last few days, we have set up two guesthouses where we are hosting refugees and planning for their long-term care. On Monday, we will launch food aid shipments to Uzhhorod and Mukachevo. We are working hand in hand with Rabbi Avraham Wolf of Odessa to help more than 100 Jewish children from orphanages stranded in Odessa leave the city as soon as possible, find safe shelter for them, and provide food for those who remain.
Rabbi Meir Stambler, president of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Ukraine, told Haaretz last week that he was not only fearful of all-out war, but also worried that Russian agents were carrying out antisemitic provocations. What news do you have about Ukrainian Jewry?
In this situation, no one is safe, but indeed the fate of the Jewish community in Ukraine is a particular cause for concern and caution. In an escalating, protracted armed conflict, the “antisemitic card” could be played at any time. Let us not forget that President Zelensky himself is of Jewish origin.
Association of Hungarian Jewish Communities pledges support to Ukrainian Jews – Neokohn
A few weeks ago, you were heard by the Knesset’s anti-Semitism lobby, and a few days ago, you attended the committee’s online meeting again. Why was it necessary to continue that discussion, and what was the hearing about, what can you tell us about it?
The Knesset lobby’s hearing a few weeks ago was part of a larger conference discussion on antisemitism in Europe, with a special focus on the BDS boycott movement against Israel. Several European and American experts were consulted on the subject, at the suggestion of Amichai Chikli, the head of the committee and a member of Yamina, one of the ruling parties.
I spoke about the exhibition on Holocaust remembrance in the House of Fates and also about the extensive European research commissioned by the European League for Action and Protection, which has produced some surprising results. The representative survey, which was carried out in 16 countries and presented in Brussels last October, asked respondents 70 questions and used a sample of 1,000 people per country.
A key part of the survey was a series of questions about Israel, which, to my knowledge, has not been done in similar surveys before. Obviously, this also attracted the interest of the committee.
Are the results of the poll in any way related to current policy? For example, is it possible to draw any conclusions about how the proportion of antisemitic views in a given country relates to the active presence of Jewish-related issues in public life?
The survey in question does not answer this question, but in Hungary we commission a similar national survey every year, and the 2021 survey, which is being carried out by Závecz Research, has already been completed. In this survey — which we will be able to present in detail in a few weeks — we see very interesting trends, which also reflect your question.
I can perhaps say that the research has shown a measurable decrease in emotional and cognitive antisemitism towards Jews.
The reason for this is presumably precisely what you referred to in your question. Meaning that
in the last 2 to 3 years, there has been less public discussion of issues related to Judaism, and the far-right party that had previously kept antisemitism in the public discourse for almost 10 years has been receding in the last few years.
It seems that when it is not on the agenda, the issue of antisemitism fades away, anti-Jewish sentiment is reduced and people are less likely to express extremist views. So in this sense, politics, politicians, have a great responsibility.
TEV’s European antisemitic prejudice research presented to Knesset lobby – Neokohn
Domestic public actors do not always seem to be aware of this. In recent weeks, for example, the leader of the opposition coalition has made several highly divisive statements. For example, that there are not enough Jews in Fidesz, or that the coalition also represents fascists. These remarks have provoked strong protests from Jewish organizations, with Mazsihisz calling for Jews to be left out of political battles ahead of the elections. What do you think about these statements?
These statements are problematic in themselves, but especially because they come from a party alliance, one of whose parties has kept racism and antisemitism on the agenda for a long time, since the late 2000s.
With this in mind, the leader of the opposition coalition should be even more careful in the way he phrases things.
I also mentioned this in the letter I sent to the German Chancellor and the German Jewish community the other day.
In this letter, I asked the Chancellor to ensure that Germany continues to act against antisemitism with the same consistency and determination as before and to guarantee the security of the Jewish community.
Why did you write to the German Chancellor and what can you tell us about this letter?
In a sense, I see a parallel between German and Hungarian public life, and I wanted to draw the attention of German public figures, and especially Jewish German public figures, to this parallel. While political leaders are declaring their commitment to Judaism, anti-Israel manifestations are generously swept under the carpet for political reasons, not to mention the perceived deterioration of the security of the Jewish community. Germany, on the other hand, has always been a leader and a role model in the fight against antisemitism, and the implications of calling into question the continuity of German policy could be far-reaching.
Action against antisemitism must take precedence over political commitments, both at home and in Germany.
Finally, what do you think about the future in an increasingly unpredictable world? What is the rabbi’s advice at this time?
We all crave security, and we all value freedom as the ultimate value. At the same time, in these times when the world is showing its more unpredictable side, when values we thought were secure are in crisis, it is important that we find as many safe points as possible in our personal lives.
And unshakable security is only found in the transcendent.
The introduction of divine eternal values into our lives is most topical now. Let us make a routine of prayer and Torah study, of giving, of helping one another, of actively practicing respect for parents, or even respecting the values of loving and educating our children, and let us introduce some regular mitzvahs (religious good deeds) into our lives. Doing so will immediately give us a greater sense of security, and freedom will not be an insecurity in our lives. This is the oldest Jewish recipe for unpredictability. Believe me, it works.
