Skip to main content

Bilateral relations

Israel-Hungary

Hungary recognized the State of Israel in May 1948 and established diplomatic relations with it, which were terminated in 1967. Diplomatic relations between the two states were re-established in September 1989.

The timeline below highlights common milestones in the history of the two countries.

1948
ISR-HUN Flag

Hungary recognized the State of Israel

1948

1989
Foreign Minister Arens and Foreign Minister Horn

Israeli Foreign Minister, Moshe Arens and Hungarian Foreign Minister, Gyula Horn signed the documents on the restoration of diplomatic relations between the Hungarian People's Republic and the State of Israel. After the signing, diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on an ambassadorial level.

Budapest, 18 September 1989

1991
PM Antall and MK Peres

József Antall is the first Hungarian Prime Minister to visit Israel.

13-15 May 1991

1991
President Herzog and President Goncz

Israeli President Chaim Herzog visits Hungary.

June 1991

1992
President Goncz, President Herzog and PM Rabin

Hungarian President Árpád Göncz visits Israel.

22-23 September 1992

1995
Yitzhak Rabin funeral

Hungarian Prime Minister, Gyula Horn and Foreign Minister, László Kovács attending the funeral of Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin.

6 November 1995

2004
President Katsav, President Madl and Amb. Varnai Shorer

Israeli President Moshe Katsav visits Hungary.

13-15 April 2004

2008
President Solyom and President Peres 2008

Hungarian President Dr. László Sólyom visits Israel.

2-7 March 2008

2009
PM Netanyahu and PM Bajnai

Hungarian Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai visits Israel.

22-24 June 2009

2012
PM Netanyahu and President Ader small 2012

Hungarian President János Áder visits Israel.

16-18 July 2012

2014
Envelop 25 years of the relations

A commemorative envelope was presented to mark the 25th anniversary of the renewal of Hungarian-Israeli relations.

9 September 2014

2016
Funeral of Shimon Peres

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán attending the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres.

30 September 2016

2017
PM Netanyahu and PM Orban - Hungary

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Hungary.

17-20 July 2017

2018
PM Netanyahu and PM Orban - Israel

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán visits Israel.

18-19 July 2018

2019
PM Netanyahu and FM Szijjarto Hun. Dipl. Trade Office

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Gergely Gulyás Minister of the Hungarian Prime Minister’s Office visit Israel.
During the visit, the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Péter Szijjártó inaugurated the Hungarian Diplomatic Trade Representation in Jerusalem.

18-19 February 2019

2019
30 years of the Hungarian Israeli relations

A commemorative stamp was issued to mark the 30th anniversary of the renewal of Hungarian-Israeli relations.

June 2019

2021
PM Orban visits Israel 2021

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán visits Israel.

11 March 2021

2022
ISR-HUN Flag

Hungarian President Katalin Novák visits Israel.
She posted the following on Facebook after her meeting with the Israeli president: "Hungary has always stood up for Israel in the international community, and I reassured President Isaac Herzog that Israel can count on Hungary’s continued support in the future as well."

16-20 November 2022

2023
Min. Cohen and Min. Szijjarto signing Stipendium Hungaricum

Israeli Foreign Minister Eliyahu (Eli) Cohen visits Hungary.
During the visit, Foreign Minister Cohen met Hungarian President Katalin Novak and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó.
An agreement was signed between the Foreign Ministers on the renewal of Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Program. According to the agreement, Hungary will provide 50 scholarships to Israeli students annually.

30 May - 1 June 2023

2023
President Novak and President Herzog 2023

Hungarian President Katalin Novák visits Israel.
On the 30th day after the brutal massacre carried out by the Hamas terrorist organization, Isaac Herzog met with the President of Hungary, Katalin Novák, who came to show solidarity and support in Israel.

5 November 2023

2024
Minister Katz and Minister Szijjártó

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz visits Hungary.
During the visit, Foreign Minister Katz met Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó.

17-18 June 2024