Israeli Cabinet Member Praises Chabad in Hungary: ‘Truly Remarkable’

(VINnews) — Israel’s minister of interior, Moshe Arbel was on an official visit to Budapest, Hungary on Thursday, meeting with Hungarian counterpart Sándor Pintér and deputy prime minister Zsolt Semjén, as well as leaders of the Hungarian Jewish community.

The meetings were attended by the two brothers of one of the hostages kidnapped on October 7, Eviatar David. David was kidnapped from the Nova festival and has been held hostage by the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas in Gaza ever since.

Arbel thanked Hungary for its “clear and firm” stand on the side of Israel, that was brutally attacked by the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas on the 7th of October, especially on the international stage, such as the UN and the European Union, where Hungary’s stance has often successfully blocked resolutions questioning Israel’s right to self-defense.

“Hungary’s exemplary stance has also had a strong impact on international public opinion, for which the people of Israel are extremely grateful in these very difficult times,” Arbel said.

Arbel also met with prominent Jewish leaders, including Rabbi Shlomo Köves, chief rabbi of EMIH -Hungarian Jewish Alliance and a group of Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries, and visited shuls and Jewish institutions established and operated by the movement.

Earlier in the day, the senior Israeli politician also visited the central synagogue of the Autonomous Orthodox Jewish Community of Hungary on Kazinczy Street, where he was guided by President Gábor Keszler and Rabbi Oirechman Shmuel, the community’s secretary general and and director of international relations of the traditional Jewish communities in Hungary.

“Your work is truly remarkable,” said Arbel, praising Chabad’s achievements and adding that “the Jewish people are united all around the world in prayer for Israel and its brave soldiers and are hopeful for the safe return on more, that 130 hostages”.

He also thanked Rabbi Köves’, as well as Rabbi Shmuel Oirechman’s personal efforts.

Jewish life in Hungary is experiencing an unseen revival over the past 20 years, largely thanks to Chabad’s efforts, which operates two Jewish Schools, over 10 shuls around the country, community centers and various other religious and communal facilities.