Hungarian President Katalin Novák confirmed today that her country has not yet made a decision regarding the relocation of its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, despite an Israeli news report stating that such a move would occur next month. The "Times of Israel" reported today that the shift would be a gesture of support from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. This move would make Hungary the first EU member state to open an embassy in Jerusalem, which Israel considers its capital, though most countries do not recognize this, and the status of Jerusalem is disputed under international law pending a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Novák stated at a press conference during her visit to Prague, "I also read the news in the newspapers. There has been no decision yet in Hungary regarding the relocation of our embassy in Israel." Hungarian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mattheos Patcholai did not confirm the report but said the ministry would disclose any updates regarding changes to the embassy in any case. Patcholai added, "We have already relocated the financial administration of our embassy in Israel to Jerusalem years ago." A spokesperson for the Israeli Foreign Ministry declined to comment.
Netanyahu, who returned to power in November, has enjoyed strong support over the years from Orbán, a key ally who has shown a willingness to oppose statements or actions from the EU that criticize Israel in the past. Orbán congratulated him after the elections, saying, "In difficult times, there is a need for strong leaders." The two also find common ground on the issue of Hungarian-born George Soros and his support for NGOs that criticize their governments' policies.
In 1980, the Israeli parliament passed a law declaring Jerusalem "complete and united" as the capital of Israel. The United Nations considers East Jerusalem occupied and regards the city's status as disputed until a resolution is reached through negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, who seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Under U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, the United States moved its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem in 2018, but only a few countries followed suit.
