group, saying the uniforms its members wear resemble those of Hungarian fascists in the 1940s. The Federation of Hungarian Jewish Communities, Mazsihisz, said in a statement that it is "at a loss to explain the recent creation of this armed body."
The extreme-right-wing party Jobbik said Friday, August 3, it would establish the Hungarian Guard because Hungary is currently lacking any "physical, mental or spiritual self-defense".
Despite the outrage, the 56 founding members of Jobbik are planning to have the swearing-in ceremony on August 25 at Budapest’s Buda Castle, the historical seat of Hungarian royalty.
BLACK UNIFORMS
Party members plan to wear black uniforms bearing the controversial red-and-white Arpad Stripes, a medieval coat of arms that became associated with the Nazi-aligned Arrow Cross party in power for a brief period during World War Two, Jobikk said. About 600,000 Hungarian Jews were massacred during that period, often with the active participation of Hungarian fascists.
Right-wing groups say they are simply reclaiming the Arpad Stripes, while opponents say the symbol has become inextricably linked with a fascist regime.
Hungarian born Tom Lantos, the first Holocaust survivor to be elected to the United States Congress, told a BosNewsLife reporter several years ago that,” Vast numbers of Hungarians personally participated in the most outrageous, murderous acts." He said that he "deeply" regrets "that there are still elements in Hungary who wish to blame the Holocaust entirely on Germany, which is inaccurate."
GOVERNMENT ANGRY
The ruling Hungarian Socialist Party and its junior coalition partner the Alliance of Free Democrats have both condemned the Hungarian Guard, as has the conservative Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF).
MDF said it was shocked that Lajos Fur, who was defense minister and president of the party in the mid-1990s, will participate in the ceremony. The largest center right opposition party Fidesz and its ally the Christian Democrats have so far refused to condemn the formation of the guard. Both parties have been condemned by international diplomats for alleged links to far right groups, although Fidesz leader Viktor Orban has denied these accusations.
With roughly 100,000 people, Hungary’s Jewish community is the largest in Eastern Europe, after Russia. Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany has expressed concern about what he sees as a "rising anti-Semitism" in the country. Churches and the Jewish community have been discussing these concerns in recent years.
