The first domestic Hungarian-Israeli friendship group was established in Budapest in the early 1990s, shortly after the (re)establishment of official diplomatic relations between the two countries. Among the founders were those from different parts of the country who were interested in the state, people, and culture of Israel, and those who had family, friend, or family ties in Israel, which were very limited in previous decades.

After the establishment of the Budapest organization, several of the rural members initiated the formation of local/local Friendly Societies in different places of the country. Thanks to this, in 1990-91, a local Friends’ Society was established – among others – in Zalaegerszeg, Vácott, Debrecen and Hódmezővásárhely. The rural companies – as civil organizations – operated independently, independently of the organization in Budapest.

The Societies of Friends were declared not to be established as another Jewish organization. But this does not mean that anyone would be excluded from membership because of their faith or religious beliefs. A significant number of their members are not religiously affiliated, but rather their interests, their need for increased tolerance, their philo-Semitism and their commitment to the State of Israel led them to the Societies. Their goal is to involve like-minded people in a community within which they can share their experiences, ideas, and thoughts.

The Hungarian-Israeli Friendship Societies became the forums for those activists and interested parties who were fed up with the sometimes latent, sometimes tangible anti-Semitism. We believe that by introducing the people living in our environment to the State of Israel, by bringing the country’s culture into tangible proximity, by talking about its history, the fate of its people, by introducing our compatriots to the economic and scientific achievements, cultural values, political and ethnic structure and past of the State of Israel and its inhabitants, which had been mystified by many. and the present, in short, the reality of Israel – we can effectively fight against misconceptions, misconceptions and prejudices resulting from half-information.

In the course of our activities, we naturally cooperate with local Jewish communities, Hungarian-Jewish cultural and scientific associations, the Christian-Jewish Society, local cultural organizations, and in some cases also with churches. The Hungarian-Israeli Friendship Societies operating in the country want to introduce the historical and cultural values, people, society and traditions of Israel to the people living in their surroundings by organizing a wide variety of programs. Therefore, these civil communities regularly organize gatherings, at which local or invited speakers occasionally provide information on – among other things – the economic, artistic and scientific life of Israel, the political processes of the Middle East, or Israel’s domestic and foreign policy issues. about its history, about the relations of the Jews living in Israel and the Diaspora, about the past, the recent past and the present day. They talk about the Holocaust, the actions of the “True People”, the creation of the State, Zionism, the intifada, (and many other things) so everything related to Israel and its people. In the organization of the programs, the local activists of the Friends’ Societies cooperated with several Israeli Embassies in Hungary.

The headquarters of the Friends’ Societies (the cities hosting the Friends’ Societies) – usually with the active participation of the members of the local organization – successively built the sister city relations in Israel. The Israeli and Hungarian sister cities mutually invite and send their artists and productions on tour in order to show the residents of the sister city as complete a picture of themselves and their city as possible. Such sister-city relations have been established over the past years, among others, in Budapest and Tel Aviv, Debrecen and Rishon LeZion, Siófok and Netanya, Nazaret Illit and Győr, Carmiel and Kisvárda, Ramat Gan and Szombathely, Givatayim and Vác, Tamar and Hódmezővásárhely, Kiriat Motzkin and Nyíregyháza, or between Soham and Szolnok. In almost every case, the local Friends’ Associations are involved in the reception of the twin city delegations and the organization of the guests’ program. The managers of the companies operating independently are regularly invited to various commemorations and protocol events organized by the Israeli Embassy.

After several meetings, October 1-2, 1994. We organized the first national meeting of the Hungarian-Israeli Friendship Associations in Zalaegerszeg. In the years following the first national meeting, more and more Hungarian-Israeli Friendship Societies were organized in the country. On January 19, 2003, the official establishment of the National Association took place in Budapest, as well as the election of the officials. (Registration of the Association entered into force on April 28, 2003). With this, the Hungarian-Israeli Friendship Associations and Circles operating in the country created an independent, national association based on democratic principles in order to develop relations between Hungary and Israel, to promote and deepen friendly relations between the two peoples. The association carries out coordination activities to strengthen the relations between the two countries, for the sake of tolerance. It coordinates the activities of the member organizations and supports the programs of the member organizations from its budget. Coordinates the annual programs of the member organizations in order to operate more efficiently. Builds and maintains relationships with Israeli organizations, especially with representations operating in Hungary. It cooperates with civil, state and church organizations that carry out activities that match its goals and are able to help them. The aim of the association is to present and introduce the cultural, artistic, historical and economic values ​​and traditions of the State of Israel and its people to the entire territory of Hungary, and to promote the presentation of the values ​​of the Hungarian people in Israel. Nowadays, „Baráti Kör” operates in more than twenty settlements, which are increasingly involved in the local cultural life, organize their programs with increasing success and for an increasing number of interested people.

From the first half of the 1990s, the organization of trips to Israel began on the basis of the Friendship Societies operating in the country. Sometimes in smaller, sometimes larger groups, the members of the Friends’ Societies – with their family members and friends – regularly travel to Israel.

The leaders of the National Association meet regularly with senior officials of the Hungarian government and diplomacy. We have an excellent relationship with the head of Hungary’s foreign representation in Tel Aviv.

Summary timeline:
1990-1991 the establishment of the first groups of friends
1994. organization of the first national meeting in Zalaegerszeg
2003. the official establishment of the National Association

The tasks ahead of us:

In recent years, the managers of the Hungarian Government and the Diplomatic Corps have recognized the potential inherent in the MIBT OSZ, which can be used for the development of relations between the two countries and the two nations. Both the relevant State Secretariat of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade provide significant professional and financial support to increase the awareness and recognition of the Organization.

Our short-term tasks:

Establishing relationships based on mutual benefits and respect with all relevant domestic religious, public, scientific and economic actors: Jewish and Christian churches (MAZSIHISZ, EMIH, Hungarian Catholic Church, Hit Gyülekezete), Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hungarian National Chamber of Agriculture, VOSZ, Friends of Hungary Foundation , Mathias Corvinus Collegium, Danube Institute, etc

as well as with Jewish organizations already operating in our country or planning to operate in the near future:

Keren Hayesod, Sohnut, Jewish National Found, Israel Cultural Institute, etc

At many points, we see opportunities for further development with the diplomatic missions of both countries, with whom we have an excellent relationship.

We would like to continue to support the acquisition of experience in Israel by domestic higher education institutions, as well as the trips of businessmen and public figures who want to get to know Israel.

In summary, we are now experiencing the classic networking period, when we are building the Association as a relevant, reliable, credible and influential organization.

Our medium-term tasks:

The creation of relationship-building platforms, clubs and events that take into account the differences and peculiarities in the mindset and business-cultural habits of the two peoples, and the launch of the Hungarian-Israeli Business Club in Hungary and Israel.

Establishing further sister-city relations between Hungarian and Israeli settlements and regions.

Launch of sister schools program

The opening of at least one more honorary consular representation in Hungary, across the Danube.

The launch of the so-called “country branding” program in Israel, which increases the familiarity and recognition of Hungary

– Hungary as a tourist destination

– Hungary as a study destination

– Hungary as a business and investment destination

– Hungary as the gateway to European markets