We’ll be going to Budapest in May and staying near the Dohany synagogue. I was wondering if security in the Jewish quarter has been beefed up in light of the growing attacks worldwide on synagogues and other Jewish sites?
Posted by
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
3185 posts
I doubt there are any problems. Hungary has a fine record of supporting Jewish Hungarians.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
25708 posts
I live across the street from a synagogue in Budapest and have absolutely no concern for safety. Despite Hungary being one of the most pro-Israel countries in the EU, no synagogue has been attacked in Hungary since the 1940’s; a claim many EU countries can not make.
Paul-of-the-Frozen-North is accurate about illegal immigration, but legal immigration has resulted in a sizeable Middle-Eastern / Asian population and as a result Budapest has some great food and some great festivities that reflect a lot of cultures. When you get here and board the tram, you will see folks from all over the world; not just tourists, but students and expats as well.
The government has taken a hard stance against antisemitism and has enacted a number of laws to strengthen the Jewish community and ensure that they are recognized as an inseparable part of the Hungarian nation. Hate speech and symbols of hatred are not permitted.
Attitudes in Hungary are far from perfect, but in one survey by a Jewish organization Hungary was second to Italy in the quality of life for the Jewish community. In another study, second to Denmark.
Posted by
OP
New York, NY
89 posts
Thank you both for your reassuring comments. And thank you, Mr. É, for the fuller explanation. I’m very excited about our upcoming trip!
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
25708 posts
paulesue I hope you enjoy your trip.
This is sort of related to your question, but more on the topic of social unrest and crime in general. Today is Revolution Day in celebration of the 1956 failed revolution attempt. Elections are in April and so the two spectrums of the political reality in Hungary are both holding rallies today.
Near the Parliament is the right-of-center party of the current Prime Minister and on Andrassy ut is the less-right-of-center major opposition party. Each has several hundred thousand followers in attendance today and the two opposing groups are separated by about three quarters of a mile.
They rode the same public transportation to their rallies, and they will ride the same going home. There will be no violence or threat of violence. At the expiration time of the rally permit they will pick up their trash and go home.
It is reflective of the safety and order that exists here and in a number of European countries.
I posted a short video of one of the rallies, if you are interested.