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Israeli President Herzog Appeals for Hostage’s Release During State Visit to Hungary
Edited by: Fern Sidman
Israeli President Isaac Herzog received an official state welcome in Hungary on Tuesday, where he met with Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok and the family of Omri Miran, an Israeli and Hungarian citizen who has been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, terror attacks. The visit highlighted the strong relationship between Israel and Hungary, as well as Hungary’s firm stance against antisemitism and terrorism. According to a report on Algemeiner.com, Herzog’s visit was a significant diplomatic engagement aimed at securing international support for Israel’s efforts to bring its hostages home.
During the meeting, Miran’s wife, Lishi, provided a harrowing account of their ordeal. She described how their daughters, Roni, now three and a half years old, and Alma, nearly two, were also taken hostage but were later released, while Omri remained in Hamas captivity. “The last time he saw them, and they saw him, was on October 7, when Alma was only six months old,” she explained. Lishi made an urgent plea for global leaders, including President Sulyok, to exert maximum pressure to secure Omri’s release. She emphasized the urgency of the moment, saying, “My daughters need their father.” Algemeiner.com reported that Sulyok responded with a firm commitment to doing everything possible to ensure Omri’s safe return.
The broader context of Miran’s captivity is part of an ongoing hostage deal negotiated between Israel and Hamas. The first phase of the ceasefire agreement, a 42-day truce that began on January 19, involves the gradual release of 33 Israeli hostages—eight of whom are believed to be deceased—in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom were convicted of terrorist activities. The second phase, set to be negotiated in the coming days, would involve the release of the remaining living hostages and a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. The Algemeiner.com report said that 70 hostages remain in Gaza, including 35 whose deaths have been confirmed by the Israeli military.
In addition to discussing the hostage crisis, Herzog and Sulyok met with Hungarian-born Holocaust survivor Aharon Shevo and his family. They presented the Hungarian president with a commemorative stamp marking 80 years since the Holocaust. The report at Algemeiner.com highlighted that this meeting reinforced the commitment of both leaders to Holocaust remembrance and the fight against rising antisemitism in Europe.
During a joint press conference, Herzog expressed deep gratitude for Hungary’s unwavering support of Israel. “In the year and a half since the horrific massacre of October 7, Hungary has stood by Israel, and I deeply appreciate that,” he said, according to the information provided in the Algemeiner.com report. He praised Hungary’s refusal to succumb to the global surge in antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and anti-Israel sentiment. Hungary has consistently backed Israel in international forums and has actively supported efforts to bring Israeli hostages home.
Herzog also placed an emphasis on the historical connection between the Jewish people and Hungary. He noted that Hungarian Jewry is among the most distinguished Jewish communities in the world, with deep historical roots and a thriving community in Israel. The report at the Algemeiner.com said that the Israeli president will visit the site where the home of Theodor Herzl, the father of modern Zionism, once stood. This visit follows in the footsteps of his father, Chaim Herzog, Israel’s sixth president, who was the first Israeli head of state to visit the site over three decades ago.
Sulyok, for his part, emphasized that he and Herzog share a common vision regarding national sovereignty and security. “We see eye to eye on everything related to protecting our national borders, the independence of our nations, and issues concerning these matters,” he stated. Algemeiner.com also reported that Sulyok reaffirmed Hungary’s view that a strong Israel is crucial not only for Israel’s security but also for European stability and the global fight against antisemitism.
Hungary’s support for Israel extends beyond rhetoric. Hungary categorically rejects the actions of Hamas and fully supports Israel’s right to self-defense. “We categorically reject what the Hamas terror organization did to Israel on October 7. We categorically reject the inhumane conditions in which the hostages are being held,” Sulyok declared, according to the Algemeiner.com report. He also reaffirmed Hungary’s commitment to opposing antisemitism and ensuring that the Jewish community in Hungary feels safe amid rising hate crimes across Europe.
Hungary has also backed Israel in the face of controversial legal actions at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Algemeiner.com reported that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has pledged that his country will not recognize the ICC’s arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Orbán went so far as to invite Netanyahu to visit Hungary, ensuring that the ICC ruling would have no effect there.
Sulyok reinforced this message during Tuesday’s press conference, stating, “Israel can count on us as steadfast supporters. We will not only continue our support but also seek further cooperation with Israel.” He stressed the importance of Holocaust remembrance for future generations and reaffirmed Hungary’s commitment to combating antisemitic rhetoric. The visit solidified the strong diplomatic ties between Israel and Hungary, demonstrating unwavering solidarity amid global political challenges.
As Herzog’s visit continues, the significance of Hungary’s alliance with Israel remains evident. The meeting not only highlighted Hungary’s vocal support for Israel but also underscored the urgent need for international pressure to secure the release of remaining hostages. The report at Algemeiner.com noted that Hungary’s consistent backing of Israel—whether in security matters, historical remembrance, or diplomatic battles—reinforces the depth of this bilateral relationship at a time when global alliances are being put to the test.
