00:58Hungary: World Jewish Congress challenges rising anti-semitism
Hungary: World Jewish Congress challenges rising anti-semitism
More than 600 delegates from around the world gathered in Hungary on Sunday for the 14th Plenary Assembly of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) in Budapest. The event, which runs from May 5 until May 7, is being held in Budapest for the first time amidst fears of rising anti-semitism in the country, home to the third-largest Jewish community in the European Union.
The decision to hold this year's congress in the Hungarian capital was taken as a measure of solidarity with Hungarian Jews who have faced growing resentment and bigotry in recent years, said the President of Hungary's local community, Dr. Peter Feldmajer. The issues dominating the agenda were the rise of right-wing extremist political parties in Europe and the election of a new WJC executive.
In his opening speech, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban acknowledged the changing dynamics of anti-Semitism in Europe and Hungary. Orban currently faces pressure from Hungary's far-right Jobbik party to compile a list of Jews considered a 'security risk'. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, Israel's Energy and Water Minister Silvan Shalom and various Middle East envoys were among the guests in attendance.
On Saturday, Hungary's far right Jobbik party, including paramilitary arm the New Hungarian Guard, held a protest in Budapest to protest the arrival of the congress in Budapest. In 2010 the party won 43 of 386 seats, making it the third largest faction in the Hungarian parliament.
00:58Hungary: World Jewish Congress challenges rising anti-semitism
More than 600 delegates from around the world gathered in Hungary on Sunday for the 14th Plenary Assembly of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) in Budapest. The event, which runs from May 5 until May 7, is being held in Budapest for the first time amidst fears of rising anti-semitism in the country, home to the third-largest Jewish community in the European Union.
The decision to hold this year's congress in the Hungarian capital was taken as a measure of solidarity with Hungarian Jews who have faced growing resentment and bigotry in recent years, said the President of Hungary's local community, Dr. Peter Feldmajer. The issues dominating the agenda were the rise of right-wing extremist political parties in Europe and the election of a new WJC executive.
In his opening speech, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban acknowledged the changing dynamics of anti-Semitism in Europe and Hungary. Orban currently faces pressure from Hungary's far-right Jobbik party to compile a list of Jews considered a 'security risk'. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, Israel's Energy and Water Minister Silvan Shalom and various Middle East envoys were among the guests in attendance.
On Saturday, Hungary's far right Jobbik party, including paramilitary arm the New Hungarian Guard, held a protest in Budapest to protest the arrival of the congress in Budapest. In 2010 the party won 43 of 386 seats, making it the third largest faction in the Hungarian parliament.