ByTZVI JASPER

Hungarian Prime Minister-elect Peter Magyar said that Israel and Hungary share a "special relationship" at a press conference after his center-right party, Tisza, won the election on Sunday.

"Hungary is home to a strong Jewish community - one of the largest in Europe - fortunately living in peace and security," Magyar said. "Many Hungarian nationals live in Israel, and many Israeli citizens come here."

Magyar also said that Israel was an important economic partner of Hungary, and said that he would aim for a "pragmatic relationship."

However, the Prime Minister-elect cautioned that Hungary could no longer be guaranteed to block European Union decisions regarding Israel, adding that "each case and decision must be assessed individually."

"We will see what decisions the Union makes and determine what serves both our interests and justice," he said.

PETER MAGYAR, leader of the opposition Tisza Party, speaks during a press conference a day after the parliamentary election, in which Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban conceded defeat, Budapest, Hungary, April 13, 2026.
PETER MAGYAR, leader of the opposition Tisza Party, speaks during a press conference a day after the parliamentary election, in which Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban conceded defeat, Budapest, Hungary, April 13, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/MARTON MONUS)

Hungary would be rejoining the Rome Statute for the International Criminal Court as soon as possible, Magyar declared, after former prime minister Viktor Orban withdrew from it.

"We will re-initiate Hungary’s accession to cooperation with the International Criminal Court," he said, adding, "I believe it is in the interest of the entire international community and of Hungary that we remain there, just as we have been until now."

Magyar also denounced antisemitism in Hungary, stating that his government would continue a zero-tolerance policy towards it

Orbán concedes Hungarian elections

Orban conceded the election on Sunday after partial results put Magyar's Tisza party on course for a parliamentary supermajority.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar congratulated Magyar and Tisza for the victory, calling for "continuing working together on further strengthening the good relations between our two countries and expanding our cooperation in different fields of mutual interests."

He also thanked Orban and his government for their pro-Israel stance, saying that they showed "friendship and steady support of Israel and Jewish life in challenging times."

Reuters contributed to this report.