No decision made yet on moving Hungary embassy to al-Quds: Reports

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
3 Mar 2023 23:22

The move would be of considerable significance as this would make Hungary the first EU country to open an embassy in occupied al-Quds.

Muslims take part in Friday prayers at the Dome of the Rock Mosque in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied Old City of al-Quds, Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Reuters reported on Friday that Hungary's President Katalin Novak said that no decisions had been made yet regarding the relocation of Budapest's embassy in "Israel" to occupied al-Quds [Jerusalem] in April - implying that the decision to relocate remains a possibility.

Earlier today, Israeli news agency The Times of Israel said that the move is intended to demonstrate support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, both of whom have entertained close diplomatic relations over the years.

The report further said that the move is scheduled to take place in the coming month.

The move would be of considerable significance as this would make Hungary the first EU country to open an embassy in occupied al-Quds which "Israel" illegitimately claims as its capital.

"I also read news in the press," Novak told reporters during a news conference in Prague. "In Hungary, a decision so far has not been made on moving our embassy to "Israel"."

Hungarian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mate Paczolay likewise did not confirm the Israeli report but said if such a decision is ever taken, the ministry would inform the public in all cases.

"We have already moved the commercial department of our Israeli Embassy to Jerusalem years ago," he said.

Orban has long supported Netanyahu against EU statements critical of the Israeli PM and his actions.

When Netanyahu won the elections in November last year, Orban congratulated his counterpart, calling him a "strong leader."