Over 15,000 people were on hand for a protest rally against anti-Semitism in Hungary a number of weeks ago. That event, attended by local elected officials, was sparked by anti-Semitic remarks made by Marton Gyongyosi of the extreme right-wing Jobbik party.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi has since condemned the extremist party’s remarks as well as denying allegations that Hungary maintains a lenient policy vis-à-vis neo-Nazis.

In the latest incident, police detained Hungarian lawmaker Balazs Lenhardt for questioning pertaining to a protest during which he burned an Israeli flag while anti-Semitic slurs were heard. Now and independent, Lenhardt is a former member of the racist Jobbik Party. Lenhardt has been critical of the Jobbik Party for losing its loyalty to its radical ideals.

Israel’s ambassador to that country has called on national leaders to act to curb the anti-Semitic sentiment that has been alarming audible of late. Israeli diplomatic officials cited the Friday night rally, 14 December 2012, during which Lenhardt set an Israeli flag ablaze, urging state officials to take “necessary actions” to prevent such incidents in the future. Over 100 people were on hand Friday night for the anti-Israel protest.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)