Hungary

Are new Knesset proposals pushing Israel toward Hungary-style governance? - opinion

Concerns mount that Israel’s new legislation could reshape democracy in a Hungary-like direction.

PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu speaks alongside former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban in Budapest last year. Orban transformed Hungary into a quasi-autocracy, while Netanyahu has not achieved the same in Israel, the writer says.
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar and new members of government.

Hungary PM Magyar gives veto power to key ministers in his cabinet following new EU sanctions

An Israeli flag flutters, with Ma'aleh Adumim is visible in the background, in the West Bank, August 14, 2025.

EU moving toward implementing sanctions on Israeli West Bank settlements, ambassador confirms

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.

Hungary’s elections and the future of its Jewish life, Israel relations - opinion


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.

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.

Orban’s defeat: A sign of things to come? - opinion

In countries where populism is ascendant, the main political rivalry is no longer primarily between a moderate Left and a moderate Right.

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 on Monday.

Viktor Orban will always be the man who kept Hungary’s Jews safe - opinion

Hungary stands out as a nation in the middle of Europe where Jewish life is thriving.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban reacts onstage as people applaud after the announcement of the partial results of parliamentary election in Budapest, Hungary, April 12, 2026.

Orban’s paradox: A friend of Israel, a challenge for Jews - analysis

Orban may have been an ultra-nationalist. He may have been anti-immigration. He may have been illiberal. But he had Israel’s back. Repeatedly.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban shake hands in Budapest in April 2025.

Israel loses Hungary as key EU ally as Viktor Orban exits power - analysis

With Orban’s departure from power following the recent elections, Israel is waking up to a starkly different European landscape.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban reacts onstage as people applaud after the announcement of the partial results of parliamentary election in Budapest, Hungary, April 12, 2026.

Israel must avoid taking sides in foreign elections - opinion

During the Hungary elections, the Israeli Right and Left expressed explicit support for one side or another, including elected officials and political activists.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban reacts onstage as people applaud after the announcement of the partial results of parliamentary election in Budapest, Hungary, April 12, 2026.

Hungary, Israel share 'special relationship,' Prime Minister-elect Peter Magyar says

Magyar also said that Israel was an important economic partner of Hungary, and said that he would aim for a "pragmatic relationship."

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.

What the fall of Orban and rise of Magyar tells us about the world - analysis

Orban has become a cult-like figure for some in the world. They see him as a right-wing idol who supposedly defended Hungary and the "West."

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.

Hungary’s Orban concedes as Magyar’s Tisza wins big

Preliminary results, with 53.45% of votes counted, projected Magyar's Tisza party winning 136 seats in Hungary's 199-member parliament, compared with 56 seats for Orban's Fidesz.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban emerges after filling in his ballot at a polling station in Hungarian parliamentary elections on April 12, 2026 in Budapest, Hungary.

Hungarians vote in landmark election closely watched by EU, Russia, US

Opinion polls have shown Orban's Fidesz party trailing Peter Magyar's upstart center-right opposition Tisza party by 7-9 percentage points, with Tisza at around 38-41%.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban talks to journalists after casting his vote during the Hungarian parliamentary election in Budapest, Hungary, April 12, 2026.