World Jewish Congress Leader Asks Hungarian PM to Curb the Activities of Fascist Hungarian Guard

On Monday, the World Jewish Congress announced that the president of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), Ronald S. Lauder, accompanied by WJC Secretary-General Michael Schneider and by the President of the Hungarian Jewish Community Federation (MAZSIHISZ), Peter Feldmajer, met today in the city of Budapest with Hungary's Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany.

The meeting concerned the Jewish community's desire for the Hungarian government to do everything possible to combat a recent rise in far-right extremism in the country.

A paramilitary Hungarian Guard was formed earlier this year, and their black uniforms remind the Jewish community leaders too much of those worn by Hungarian fascists during World War II. The Arrow Cross Party supported the atrocities and torture delivered on Jews by their Nazi Party allies.

The group members sport black boots, black cargo pants, and black vests with roaring white lions on the back; in addition, they wear red and white striped kerchiefs tucked into the collars of their white shirts which match their black caps' emblems.

The group claims that their uniforms are meant to symbolize the great Hungarian dynasties of the 13th century.

"Civil society and political leaders should not tolerate such things. Hungary should be a role model for other countries in central Europe. What happens has repercussions in neighboring countries," said Lauder.

Lauder also welcomed the parliamentary approval in Hungary last month of a bill that makes it easier for members of religious, ethnic, or sexual minorities to seek litigation in the event that they are publicly offended or targeted with hate speech or hostile acts.

The Hungarian Guard was formed at the end of August this year and has been receiving strong political and social support, including from priests and ministers of Christian churches in the nation.

The Guard has made it clear that it wishes to defend what it considers the totally defenseless Hungarian people from the "social-liberal" government of Ferenc Gyurcsany. The Guard, indeed, seeks to bring down his government and party entirely.

Hungary ceased being a Communist nation in 1990.

Hungarian philosopher Tamás Gáspár Miklós has described the guards as the "Hungarian SS". The Guard, however, has said that labeling it a "fascist hate group" or "anti-Semitic" is "hysterical".

The Guard's formation has previously been condemned by the Hungarian parliament.

"The Hungarian Guard has been set up in order to carry out the real change of regime and to rescue Hungarians", Jobbik Party president and Magyar Garda (Hungarian Guard) founder Gabor Vona said to those present at the Guard's official coronation event at the end of August.

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