Hundreds protest Jewish World Congress in Budapest

[Syt]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22413301

Jobbik rally against World Jewish Congress in Budapest

Hungary's far-right Jobbik party has staged a rally in central Budapest in protest at the capital's hosting of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) on Sunday.

Several hundred supporters took part, despite attempts by the government to prevent it going ahead.

Jobbik said the rally was a protest against what it said was a Jewish attempt to buy up Hungary.

The party, which says it aims to protect Hungarian values and interests, is the third largest in parliament.

It regularly issues anti-Semitic statements.

The event in Budapest on Saturday was billed as a tribute to what organisers called the victims of Bolshevism and Zionism.

"The Israeli conquerors, these investors, should look for another country in the world for themselves because Hungary is not for sale," party chairman Gabor Vona told the rally, according to Reuters news agency.

Marton Gyongyosi said Hungary had "become subjugated to Zionism, it has become a target of colonisation while we, the indigenous people, can play only the role of extras".

Last year, Mr Gyongyosi had sparked outrage by saying all government officials of Jewish origin should be officially listed, as they might be a "national security risk".

'Worrying sign'

Some of those taking part in the rally were wearing the black uniform of Jobbik's banned paramilitary wing, the Hungary Guard, which has been accused of vigilante action against Roma (Gypsy) communities.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban had ordered police to ban the march, but a Budapest court overruled the ban, saying it had been based on "unfounded presumptions".

Mr Orban instead instructed the interior ministry to use all lawful means to prevent the event, which goes against the constitution".

Security was tight around the rally, with police blocking several streets, but there were no reports of unrest.

The WJC usually hosts its assembly in Jerusalem, but has chosen Hungary this year to highlight what it says is growing anti-Semitism in Europe.

The focus of its summit this year will be on the "alarming rise of neo-Nazi political parties and anti-Semitic incidents in several European countries, including Hungary", it says on its website.

Spokesman Michael Thaidigsmann said the Jobbik rally was a "worrying sign that these people express their anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli ideology in such a public way".

[Martinus]

It's funny how Orban is trying to play it both ways without realizing that his attempts to ban the march despite a court ruling makes his country look even worse like a tinpot dictatorship.

[Scipio]

Only hundreds?  I guess that counts as progress for the Huns.

[mongers]

Where's Tamas; having a day out in the sun?

[Neil]

Why would they have the World Jewish Congress in Nazi Hungary?  Was 1933 Nuremberg not available, or are they just attention whoring?

[The Brain]

The WJC funded Wallenberg so you can hardly blame the Hungarians for being upset.

[derspiess]

Why would they have the World Jewish Congress in Nazi Hungary?  Was 1933 Nuremberg not available, or are they just attention whoring?

Yeah, pretty much my thoughts.

[CountDeMoney]

Why would they have the World Jewish Congress in Nazi Hungary?  Was 1933 Nuremberg not available, or are they just attention whoring?

No shit.  That's like holding the Democratic National Convention in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.  Or North Carolina, for that matter.

[Tamas]

Yeah, kind of strange. I guess they wanted to put up a "we are not afraid" show? Anyways a few hundreds is really not much

[mongers]

Yeah, kind of strange. I guess they wanted to put up a "we are not afraid" show? Anyways a few hundreds is really not much

Come on it's enough for newspaper articles and tv news items; probably both side were satisfied by the media coverage.   

I guess "1,740,700 people in Budapest go about their usual weekend activities" isn't much of a headline.

Or for that matter "700 Jews meet in Israel to discuss stuff" 

[The Larch]

Yeah, kind of strange. I guess they wanted to put up a "we are not afraid" show? Anyways a few hundreds is really not much

In the article I read about this it was mentioned that Budapest had been chosen as a sign of support to the Hungarian Jewish community, after the harrassment they had been suffering.

[derspiess]

Why would they have the World Jewish Congress in Nazi Hungary?  Was 1933 Nuremberg not available, or are they just attention whoring?

No shit.  That's like holding the Democratic National Convention in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.  Or North Carolina, for that matter.

At a Nascar track

[Jacob]

My guess is that some Hungarians invited them to show that the country has progressed.

[Neil]

My guess is that some Hungarians invited them to show that the country has progressed.

Since yesterday?  Besides, why would a leftist in Hungary want to embarrass themselves like that?  They know that their country is well down the track to fascism, and that part of their leader's support base is the anti-Jewish element.

[Razgovory]

It's funny how Orban is trying to play it both ways without realizing that his attempts to ban the march despite a court ruling makes his country look even worse like a tinpot dictatorship.

Wouldn't Germany do the same?