Let’s be clear: supporting Hamas is not political activism. It’s not edgy or provocative. It’s an endorsement of terrorism—of an organization that slaughters civilians, holds children hostage, and uses hospitals and schools as shields. That the Hungarian government drew a red line here is exactly the kind of zero-tolerance policy toward antisemitism that Jewish communities across Europe have been begging for and rarely receive.
In Hungary, the Jewish community doesn’t have to beg.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his government have made it clear time and again that Hungary stands with Israel, with the Jewish people, and with truth. Whether in the halls of the European Union, on the floor of the United Nations, or in the streets of Budapest, Hungary has proven itself to be an unwavering ally of the Jewish state and a dependable protector of its Jewish citizens.

Contrast that with what we’re seeing elsewhere in Europe.

In France, Jewish schools and synagogues are targets of regular threats. In Germany, anti-Israel rallies flood the streets of Berlin with chants that would’ve made the 1930s blush. In the UK, Jewish students are increasingly told to “stay home” to avoid anti-Israel protests on campus. And across the EU, we’ve seen attempts to punish Israel diplomatically while failing to condemn the antisemitic incitement coming from Gaza and the West Bank.

Hungary is the outlier and thank God for that.

Under Prime Minister Orbán’s leadership, Hungary has stood virtually alone in defending Israel at the EU. While other countries have called for “ceasefires” that benefit Hamas, Hungary has consistently blocked one-sided anti-Israel statements and stood firm on Israel’s right to defend itself. At the United Nations, where Israel is routinely demonized, Hungary has refused to go along with the mob. Whether it’s voting against biased resolutions or calling out the double standards in international diplomacy, Hungary has Israel’s back.

But it’s not just on the international stage. At home, Hungary walks the walk.

Budapest is one of the only capitals in Europe where Jews can walk freely wearing a yarmulke, attend synagogue without metal detectors, and celebrate Jewish holidays without a police presence. The government has invested millions into preserving Jewish heritage sites, restoring synagogues, and funding Holocaust education not just as a formality, but as a national priority.

The Orbán government has also cracked down on foreign-funded NGOs that promote antisemitic and anti-Israel agendas, taking the bold position that Hungarian society should not subsidize hatred. That includes moves like banning Kneecap, which is already drawing predictable outrage from far-left activists and press outlets. But that outrage means Hungary is doing something right. It means the government is setting a standard that others are too timid or too politically correct to adopt.

Let’s be honest: if Germany or France had taken a similar stand, the global Jewish community would be celebrating. But when Hungary does it, critics try to paint it as censorship. That’s nonsense. Refusing to give a stage to Hamas apologists is not censorship. It’s decency. And decency is what Jews in Europe are desperate for.

I’ve traveled across Europe, and I’ve met with Jewish communities from London to Berlin to Vienna. No country makes them feel as safe, respected, and supported as Hungary. That’s not an opinion. That’s the reality on the ground. And in a world where Jews are once again being asked to hide who they are, Hungary is telling the Jewish community: you belong here. You are protected here. We’ve got your back.
Other European leaders would do well to take notes. Hungary doesn’t play games with antisemitism. It doesn’t give platforms to terrorist sympathizers. It doesn’t allow international pressure to dilute its moral compass.

Hungary may be small in size, but it stands tall in principle and moral clarity.

For Jews in Europe and for anyone who believes in moral clarity, that makes all the difference.

Bryan E. Leib is the CEO of Henry Public Relations and a Senior Fellow for the Center for Fundamental Rights