Volume 4 No 2 - Journal for the Study of Antisemitism

Letter from BudapestEszter Garai-Édler*This report explores how the series of harassments and threats againstmy life—which have most recently embittered my life—began, as well ashow I am trying to resist and get beyond this frightening and paralyzingsituation. Above all, I am trying to comprehend and make sure that othersbecome aware of the processes in Hungary that resulted in this situation. Ido this to assure that the political situation in Hungary is improved and doesnot worsen, which in my opinion are the natural and likely dynamics ifthere is no attempt to curb current anti-democratic and neo-Nazi activities.Antisemitism, hatred of the Roma, and violent acts committed againstminorities have clearly been increasing in the last few years in Hungary.People who oppose fascism thought these were isolated incidents, but it hasbecome obvious that one party (Jobbik) in the Parliament and the conservativegoverning party (Fidesz) have been moving toward espousingextremely right-wing ideas. Unfortunately, the present situation is welldescribed by the fact that in the Hungarian Parliament, an MP verballyabused Jews, shouting antisemitic slogans, all on live television.The number of atrocities is on the increase. In recent years, some ofthe attacks on Roma people claimed lives. Although outlawed, in the lasttwo years the extreme right-wing Magyar Guard has been growing, and isperpetrating an increasing number of violent acts. One must recognizeclearly that the Hungarian government and the Hungarian Parliament violatethe provisions of the Paris Peace Treaty concerning Hungary.Probably that is why a young man was roughed up in the street simplybecause he was visibly Jewish, and Chief Rabbi József Schweitzer was verballyassaulted and threatened in public. In another case, Dr. Péter Dániel, awell-known lawyer and opponent of the policies of the government, had tobe rescued by the police from a mob ready to lynch him. Most recently,Vilmos Hanti, chairman of MEASZ and FIR, suffered serious injuries in anassault. And the threats against those who protest against László Csizsik-581