Viktor Orban

Middle Israel: Orbán’s defeat, Hungary's political shift, and lessons for Israel - opinion

Hungary's defeat of Orbán’s authoritarianism offers a powerful lesson for Israel. Can Israel learn from Hungary’s democratic shift and face its own political challenges?

|ByAMOTZ ASA-EL
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks during a media briefing in Budapest, Hungary, December 21, 2022.
HUNGARIAN ELECTION winner Peter Magyar, leader of the opposition Tisza Party, speaks to the media in Budapest, on Wednesday.

Elections polls in Hungary and the Israeli lesson - opinion

The key lesson for the Israeli public from the Hungarian elections may be that polls should be treated with considerable caution.

|ByORI WERTMAN
PETER MAGYAR, leader of the opposition Tisza Party, speaks during a press conference a day after the parliamentary election, in which Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban conceded defeat, Budapest, Hungary, April 13, 2026.

Netanyahu, Hungary’s PM-elect Peter Magyar hold first call, pledge continued close ties

Magyar invited the Israeli premier to a ceremony marking 70 years since the Hungarian Uprising, while Netanyahu invited him to a government-to-government meeting in Jerusalem.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Election winner Peter Magyar, leader of the opposition Tisza Party looks on, on the day of a meeting with Hungary's President Tamas Sulyok after the parliamentary election, at Sandor Palace in Budapest, Hungary, April 15, 2026.

Hungarian Jewish community extend olive branch to Magyar, including Orban allies

Magyar said on Sunday that he would aim for a "pragmatic relationship" with Israel, but would not provide a blanket block of the European Union's decisions regarding Israel.

|ByMICHAEL STARR

Hungarian minister doubles down on democracy as activists rally against him

Unlike Israel, Hungary has “a written constitution, adopted in 2011,” Gulyás said on Wednesday evening, explaining that the democratic nature of his government is “not a question.”

JUNE 15, 2023ByEVA ROYTBURG
Hungarian Minister Gerley Gulyás defended his country’s oft-criticized judicial system during a public interview at Jerusalem’s King David Hotel, as activists rallied against him outside on June 14, 2023.

After the judicial reform, the electoral process is next - opinion

When there are no restraints on what the government can do, the road will be open to “adjustments” (tricks) and “reforms” (schemes and conspiracies) in the electoral process.

MAY 7, 2023ByOFER KENIG
CENTRAL ELECTIONS Committee workers count ballots at the Knesset, after November’s election. Vote-counting proceeds efficiently and reliably, and the public perceives the results as legitimate.

Zelensky adviser: Hungary 'nullifies its reputation' supporting Russia

Mykhailo Podolyak, the adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said that “Hungary repeatedly nullifies its reputation by directly supporting the ru-corpse.”

MARCH 24, 2023ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Mykhailo Podolyak, a political adviser to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, speaks during an interview with Reuters, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, November 2, 2022.

Israeli citizens must fight against judicial reform - opinion

Precisely what legal clause Levin and company will choose to achieve their goals isn’t really important, but the larger implications certainly are.

MARCH 21, 2023ByYOTAM MARGALIT
PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu leads the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, in Jerusalem. Netanyahu’s rule will be perpetuated for years to come but not because the justice minister’s plan will gain popularity, the writer argues.

Hungary starts Finland, Sweden NATO bid ratification process

The long-delayed process got underway in a debate about the bid in Hungary's parliament.

MARCH 1, 2023ByREUTERS
A view of the flags of Finland, NATO and Sweden during a ceremony to mark Sweden's and Finland's application for membership in Brussels, Belgium, May 18, 2022.

Benedict funeral to be similar to that of reigning popes

The retired former pope has been laying in state without the papal regalia, but will be buried in the traditional three coffins in the Vatican.

JANUARY 3, 2023ByREUTERS
Faithful pay homage to former Pope Benedict, as his body lies in state at St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, January 3, 2023.

International congratulations start coming in for Netanyahu

Following Benjamin Netanyahu's election victory, world leaders congratulated him on social media, confirming their cooperation with his government,

NOVEMBER 3, 2022ByLAHAV HARKOV
Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu waves as he addresses his supporters at his party headquarters during Israel's general election in Jerusalem, November 2, 2022.

Israel Elections: If Netanyahu wins, democracy is in peril - opinion

Benjamin Netanyahu winning the election could jeopardize democracy and make Israel the next Hungary, with Netanyahu the next Viktor Orban.

OCTOBER 21, 2022ByPAUL GROSS
Opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to tesitfy before the Meron Disaster Inquiry Committee, in Jerusalem, on July 21, 2022

Hungary is no longer a full democracy, Europe declares in vote

The European Commission is expected to propose cutting 70% of Hungary’s cohesion funds on Sunday, but will also open the door to a compromise.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives for the European Union leaders summit, as EU's leaders attempt to agree on Russian oil sanctions in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Brussels, Belgium May 30, 2022.

‘The Consultant’: The contradictions of a GOP, Israeli political wizard

Arthur Finkelstein was the master political consultant who changed political campaigning all over the world. He helped Republicans, Benjamin Netanyahu and Viktor Orban.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022ByHANNAH BROWN
ARTHUR FINKELSTEIN with Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara.