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GPHAE: Hungarian institutions form alliances with anti-immigration organizations in America
Orbán adjacent institutions have formed alliances with U.S. anti-immigrant groups linked to white nationalist John Tanton, according to a report by the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE). Tanton, known for his belief that immigrants undermine American society, founded organizations like the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), and Numbers USA. The report highlights that CIS and Numbers USA have developed close ties with Hungarian institutions that share their anti-immigrant views.
The report notes that CIS’s interest in Hungary dates back to Orbán’s hardline stance during the 2016 refugee crisis, particularly his opposition to Hungarian-born philanthropist George Soros. Since 2019, CIS staffers have made visits to Hungary, including trips to see the country’s border fence. Through joint events and collaborations, CIS has fostered a strong partnership with Hungary’s Migration Research Institute (MRI), an anti-immigrant think tank. CIS also reportedly works with the Heritage Foundation, an influential US Conservative organization that often held talks with individuals close to the Orban government.
Tisza Party takes ten percent of 2022 Fidesz voters, survey shows
In the 2022 elections, 10 percent of Fidesz-KDNP voters voted for the Tisza Party in the June 9 EP elections, according to IDEA. The survey, conducted between 19 and 27 June, asked respondents to reveal how they voted in the 2022 parliamentary elections and this year's European Parliament elections in addition to their current party preferences.
The responses show that the governing parties were able to retain roughly four-fifths of the voters who voted for them two years ago, although 6% switched to other parties and 5% did not vote. Tisza Party took away a much larger share of opposition voters: 47% of those who voted for the 2022 opposition coalition this year voted for Péter Magyar's party, while only a quarter of them voted for the joint DK-MSZP-Partbeszéd Greens list in the EP elections. 43 percent of the Tisza Party's voter base in 2022 still supported the opposition coalition, while 28 percent did not participate in the last parliamentary election. 16 percent of Hungarian supporters said they voted for Fidesz-KDNP in 2022.
Hungary among EU nations failing to probe abuse and deaths at border
Hungary is one of three EU countries failing to properly investigate cases of ill-treatment and deaths during border operations, according to a report by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). The report highlights inadequate efforts to locate and interview witnesses, prevention of legal access, and restricted access to crucial evidence, such as border surveillance footage. The European Court of Human Rights identified significant shortcomings in five recent cases. "There are too many allegations of human rights violations at the EU's borders. Europe must ensure fair and respectful treatment for everyone at its borders, in full compliance with human rights law," FRA Director Sirpa Rautio said in a statement.
European courts have repeatedly ruled that Hungary's border management practices violate EU law, particularly by denying access to asylum procedures.
According to the Israeli Foreign Minister, Iran sent a message via Szijjártó about upcoming attack
“Iran has informed us that it intends to attack Israel,” Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz told the Jerusalem Post.“The world should exact a price from Iran for any aggressive action it carries out,” he added. According to the Jerusalem Post article, Katz learned this from Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó in a phone call.
Szijjártó did post on Monday that he had spoken to both the Israeli and Iranian foreign ministers on the phone, but he simply wrote: "The talks have unfortunately once again proved that we are in the 24th hour".
Iran has repeatedly indicated in recent days that it will respond to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' top political leader. Haniyeh was assassinated early last Wednesday morning in Tehran, where he had arrived to attend the inauguration of the new Iranian President. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the killing. Iran has called an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for Wednesday to try to persuade Arab states to justify retaliatory measures against Israel.