Jobbik unveils statue of Hungary's pro-Nazi wartime ruler Miklos Horthy in central Budapest

World Jewish Congress head: Jobbik extremists showed their true colors by
glorifying Hitler ally Miklos Horthy

NEW YORK - World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder expressed
outrage at Sunday's ceremony outside a church in downtown Budapest where the
far-right Jobbik party unveiled a statue of Hungary's wartime ruler Admiral
Miklos Horthy, a close ally of Adolf Hitler until 1944 and under whose watch
the Nazis deported more than half a million Jews to the death camps. "It is
a historical travesty to publicly honor a man who introduced anti-Jewish
laws in 1938, who sided with Adolf Hitler before and during World War II and
who did nothing to prevent the murder of Hungarian Jewry. Jobbik has once
again shown its true colors: It is an anti-Semitic, fanatic and
anti-democratic party. It is high time Hungary takes decisive action against
the party and prevents statues of an associate of the most evil mass
murderer of all times," Lauder said.



The WJC president also praised the estimated 1,000 people who protested
against the unveiling of the bust but lamented that not all of the
mainstream political parties associated themselves with this protest. Lauder
added that some Hungarian politicians "seem to be concerned with their
country's reputation internationally but deny that a problem exists within
their country that needs to be dealt with urgently, and that is the growing
anti-Semitism and racism propagated by the extreme-right which falls on
fertile ground."

Ronald Lauder went on to state: "Anti-Semitism in Hungary is real, and many
Hungarian Jews are feeling its impact in their daily lives. In a recent
survey, 91 percent said that is has increased over the last five years.
Jobbik is not a marginal phenomenon in Hungarian politics, but the
third-largest force in parliament. Nearly a third of voters under the age of
30 sympathize with this party, according to studies. The problem is
therefore not a matter of perception but of a need for real change on the
ground. It cannot be glossed over by improving public relations, but only by
taking the right action against all those who propagate racism and
anti-Semitism.

"The World Jewish Congress welcomes the recent pronouncements of the
Hungarian government about combating anti-Semitism, which appear to respond
to concerns expressed by various Jewish organizations. Yet words alone won't
suffice.

"Although Jobbik gained parliamentary representation in free elections, it
is obvious that this party is actively undermining democracy. The Hungarian
government should examine which of Jobbik's activities are against European
norms and Hungarian laws, and act accordingly," Lauder declared.

About the World Jewish Congress

The World Jewish Congress (WJC) is the international organization
representing Jewish communities in 100 countries to governments, parliaments
and international organizations.

Forrás: http://www.worldjewishcongress.org