PM Orbán to president of the World Jewish Congress Lauder: ‘You’re asking me to limit press freedom’

The Government of Hungary pursues a policy of zero tolerance regarding anti-Semitism. The actions and decisions of my government leave no doubt as to the fact that the Hungarian Government feels responsible for its citizens of Jewish origin, and ensures their security. You and your organisation can count on this clear Hungarian government policy in the future as well”, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán wrote in a letter of reply to the President of the World Jewish Congress (WJC). A copy of the letter was provided by to Hungarian news agency MTI by the Prime Minister’s Press Chief, Bertalan Havasi.

A few days ago, President of the World Jewish Congress Ronald S. Lautner wrote a letter calling on Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to publicly condemn a picture published on the front page of Hungarian weekly magazine Figyelő (Observer), which the President believed is anti-Semitic.

“I am surprised however that you are asking me to limit the freedom of speech and the freedom of press. Despite all my respect for you, I cannot fulfil such a request. In fact, even this reply is only justified by our personal acquaintance and the respect I feel for you”, the Hungarian Prime Minister wrote.

“I am also confused by the fact that you seem to grab a pen and paper only when a left-wing public figure of Jewish descent is at the centre of a debate. I have never received a letter from you when a citizen of Jewish descent, cooperative with the government or right-leaning, got in a similar situation.