Three Nations, One Jewish Identity
As the Israel-Gaza war, hopefully, comes to an end after two long years, global leaders met in Egypt to sign the ceasefire deal and mark the end of the fighting
Among the heads of state present were Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, American President Donald Trump, and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
While many countries turned on Israel at various points during the war, accusing the Netanyahu government of war crimes and even genocide, Hungary remained steadfast in its support of the world’s only Jewish state. It was also one of the few countries that refused to reward Hamas for its horrific terrorist attack on October 7, 2023. By recognizing a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly without requiring the return of Israeli hostages or any commitment to peace from the Palestinians.
America has gone even further in its support of Israel and has undoubtedly been Israel’s biggest ally throughout the war. The U.S. has both spoken up for Israel, and provided military aid and even participated in Israel’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
As a U.S.-born Jew of Hungarian origin, I feel an emotional connection to Hungary. I have family members who live there and have had the opportunity to both host and visit them. Even some members of my family who live in the U.S. still speak Hungarian as their first language. Under these circumstances, love for Israel, pride in both Hungary’s and the United States’ strong support of Israel, and hope for a peaceful future are among the emotions that I, and many others, have felt recently.
Jewish-Hungarian Americans hold a unique identity at the intersection of three very different cultures and countries involved in the war. Many live in New York, which is home to both the second-largest Jewish population of any city after Tel Aviv and the largest Jewish-Hungarian diaspora. Many are the children and grandchildren of refugees who were forced to flee due to religious persecution and who understand the importance of having a strong Jewish state.
That is why it is so meaningful that America, our home country, Hungary, our national country, and Israel, our forever country, are united by a shared love for Israel and a desire for a secure home for all Jews.
A highlight of the ceasefire meeting in Egypt was when President Trump referred to Prime Minister Orbán as “fantastic” and a “great leader”, reflecting America’s strong diplomatic ties with Hungary. Prime Minister Netanyahu has also expressed his gratitude toward Prime Minister Orbán, noting that Hungary has remained a safe place for him and the wider Jewish and Israeli population. This stands in contrast to a rise of global antisemitism, as well as threats from some of Hungary’s European neighbors to arrest Israeli leaders, and potentially Israeli citizens, if they visit their countries.
I watched the three leaders at the ceasefire meeting and saw them as the embodiment of a hopeful future in which Jews are strong and safe; one in which Zionism and diplomacy can coexist, and a better world seems possible.
