Monday, June 01, 2009

The Hungarian Policemen's Union

A trade union representing Hungarian police officers has released a newsletter actively urging on anti-Semitic activity in the nation:
"Given our current situation, anti-Semitism is not just our right, but it is the duty of every Hungarian homeland lover, and we must prepare for armed battle against the Jews."
[...]
The following issue of the newsletter included another of [union secretary-general Judit Szima's] articles, in which he argued "I am in favor of peaceful solutions. But a peaceful solution could only be implemented if our Zionist government were to relocate to Tel Aviv, as it is them who are calling for war."

"A crumbling country, torn apart by Hungarian-Gypsy civil war, could easily be claimed by the rich Jews," the article went on to say. "That is why we should expect a Hungarian-Gypsy civil war, fomented by Jews as they rub their hands together with pleasure."

This article elicited an official complaint filed with the prosecution, arguing that it contained incitement against minority groups. The prosecution rejected the complaint, stating that it did not call for violence against Jews or Gypsies, but rather called to defend against these groups' probable attack.

The union apparently represents 10% of all Hungarian police officers, and it seems to have connection to right-wing elements in Hungary's politics. Indeed, the article indicates that anti-Semitic right-wing elements are well positioned in the Hungarian political system, normalizing this sort of behavior as typical language.

UPDATE: A follow-up at Harry's Place indicates that the groups involved here may be more fringe than the article indicates, which is a relief.

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