Hungary sides with US on moving embassy to Jerusalem

Although Hungary (along with the Czech Republic and Romania) vetoed an EU statement condemning the relocation of the US embassy from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem, a pro-government columnist warns that President Trump’s move may be responsible for more violence in the region. A left-wing commentator finds it unwise for the Hungarian government to have sided the US rather than the EU.

In Magyar Idők, László Szőcs describes US President Trump’s decision to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as a risky gamble and a clear expression of support for the Netanyahu government’s policies. Only time will tell if the relocation of the US embassy will be a symbolic gesture alone, or if it will trigger a new wave of violence, Szűcs continues. He warns that if the conflict escalates, President Trump will be indirectly responsibility for the turmoil and the deaths.

Népszava’s Gábor Horváth sees the relocation of the US embassy as a symbolic gesture. The left-wing pundit finds it unlikely that the decision will have a major impact on the status quo, but thinks nonetheless that the gesture may trigger violence. In an aside, Horváth finds it unwise for the Hungarian government to side with the US, and resist EU attempts to issue an official complaint on the move of the US embassy.

Tags: diplomacy, foreign affairs, Israel, Trump, US