On Wednesday the Hungarian government’s delegation at the opening of the Global Forum for Combating Anti-Semitism was headed by Szabolcs Takács, Minister of State for EU Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office and Ministerial Commissioner for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Chairmanship. The opening session was attended by representatives of more than ten thousand Jewish communities, political leaders, diplomats and experts.

Mr. Takács drew attention to the threat of radicalism, which manifests itself in different forms and is rising in a number of places around the world, including Europe. In France and Denmark hatred against Jewish communities has even resulted in killings, he said.

He also talked about his government’s work combating manifestations of anti-Semitism. He described the activities of the IHRA as a sort of “purgatory”, in which participating countries must face their own past through Holocaust education; even though this might be difficult, it is the only way that we can shape an acceptable future.

He said that since 2000 Hungarian governments have continuously sought to engage in this fight, in the recognition of past events, and in the creation and implementation of legislation against manifestations of radicalism, extremism and racism.

(Prime Minister's Office/MTI)