Tory aide’s promise of ‘special relationship’ with Hungary’s Orban criticised
Board of Deputies says it has raised concerns over antisemitism, Holocaust revisionism and prejudice from the country's government
A top Tory aide has been chastised by Jewish leaders after promising a “special relationship” between the UK and a Hungarian government accused of antisemitism.
Tim Montgomerie, a former journalist who now works as Boris Johnson’s social justice adviser, made the comments about Brexit and Viktor Orbán’s authoritarian government a meeting hosted by a right-wing think-tank in Budapest last month.
His remarks, reported by BuzzFeed, show Montgomerie praising the “interesting early thinking” Orbán’s government was doing on “the limits of liberalism” and likened Johnson to Orbán and Donald Trump.
Downing Street said Montgomerie was not speaking for the government, adding that “during the election all special advisers resigned their positions… Tim Montgomerie has not currently returned to his position”.
“We have in the past raised a number of concerns with the Hungarian government on issues relating to antisemitism, Holocaust revisionism and different forms of prejudice in the country,” said Board of Deputies’ president Marie van der Zyl.
“We have also conveyed these thoughts to the UK Government, which has been largely supportive. We note that the Government has moved to distance itself from the comments made by Tim Montgomerie on this issue.”
Last year she met Hungarian Secretary of State Vince Szalay-Bobrovniczky after registering the Jewish community’s “profound disquiet” at the situation in the country.
They discussed a range of concerns, including magazine front covers portraying Hungary’s Jewish community leader showering in cash, and the use of antisemitic tropes by the government in its portrayal of Hungarian-born Jewish philanthropist George Soros, whose foundation has criticised Orbán’s policies.
She also challenged the Hungarian government’s remarks about “Muslim invaders” and migrants, its “moves to downplay the role of historical Hungarian leaders in supporting the Holocaust,” the threatened closure of the Aurora Jewish community centre, and relations between the Government and the Jewish community.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
