World Jewish Congress Plenary Assembly kicks off this Sunday, May 5 in Budapest, Hungary

World Jewish Congress Plenary Assembly kicks off this Sunday, May 5 in Budapest, Hungary

Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán to address hundreds of representatives of Jewish communities from around the world

Live streaming of the events at:
www.worldjewishcongress.org/events/watch-live


Budapest, May 1, 2013 – The World Jewish Congress (WJC) will hold its 14th Plenary Assembly in Budapest, on May 5-7, 2013 to discuss matters of importance to the Jewish people globally, including the alarming rise of Neo-Nazi political parties and anti-Semitic incidents in several European countries, including Hungary, and the situation in the Middle East.

Over 600 delegates and observers from around the world, including small communities such as Zimbabwe, Namibia and Swaziland, are expected to convene in the Hungarian capital. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will address the opening dinner on May 5 (see full program attached).

Other keynote speakers at the Plenary Assembly will include Germany’s Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, Cardinal Péter Erdő, the archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and current president of the Council of European Bishops Conferences, Israel’s Energy and Water Minister Silvan Shalom, as well as various special envoys to the Middle East. Delegates will also elect a new WJC Executive Committee for the next four years.

WJC President Ronald S. Lauder said: “This will be a good opportunity to show that by standing united, world Jewry can make its voice heard and can improve things. We are looking forward to meet in Budapest, which has a great Jewish history and a vibrant community.”

The event is organized in cooperation with the Federation of Jewish Communities of Hungary (MAZSIHISZ), the official representative body of Jews in Hungary. MAZSIHISZ President Péter Feldmájer declared: “The fact that the WJC is holding its Plenary Assembly in Budapest is a symbol of solidarity with our Jewish community, which has been faced with growing anti-Semitism in recent years. We look forward to welcoming the WJC delegates here in Hungary, home to the largest Jewish community in Central Europe.”

Below please find links to recent articles about the current situation in Hungary, which has witnessed a marked growth in anti-Semitism in recent years, to give you a background context.

www.jta.org/news/article/2013/02/03/3118601/anti-semitism-pushing-out-hungarian-jews-vienna-community-says

www.timesofisrael.com/dont-fear-hungarys-radical-anti-semitic-party-jewish-mp-urges/

www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/30/us-hungary-protest-idUSBRE93T0OI20130430

www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-08/hungary-should-scrap-anti-semitic-demo-jewish-group-says.html

www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/racist-soccer-fans-attack-hungarian-activist-ahead-of-jewish-congress-1.518222

forward.com/articles/175457/jewish-congress-prepares-to-meet-in-hungary-amid-c/

www.budapesttimes.hu/2013/04/14/hungary-high-in-global-antisemitism/

www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/news/13455/raoul_wallenberg_association_chair_accosted_by_extremists_at_budapest_soccer_match

www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/news/13424/thousands_march_in_hungary_to_remember_shoah_victims

About World Jewish Congress:
The World Jewish Congress (WJC) is the international organization representing Jewish communities in 100 countries to governments, parliaments and international organizations. The Plenary Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the organization. It meets every four years and elects the WJC officers. All affiliated Jewish communities are entitled to send a certain number of delegates, depending on the size of their Jewish population.