BUDAPEST, Hungary (JTA) — On the eve of parliamentary elections in Hungary, the largest Hungarian Jewish umbrella organization called upon Jews to vote against anti-Semitic candidates.
“This is the first occasion that a movement pursuing openly anti-Semitic policies and challenging the basic values of Hungarian statehood” is on the verge of entering the Hungarian Parliament, the Association of Hungarian Jewish Religious Communities said in a reference to Jobbik, the Hungarian far-right party.
Polls opened in Hungary on Sunday morning. A runoff election, if necessary, is set for April 25.
The statement set a new precedent for the Jewish association, which usually refrains from expressing political preferences. The statement called on Hungarian Jews to foster peace in the wider community by voting for political parties committed to upholding democracy, defending human rights and opposing anti-Semitic violence.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
