Orban uses politics to make Hungary an unlikely leader in kosher foie gras

The right-wing government is using its weaponisation of xenophobia to present Hungary as the guardian of liberties that are being curtailed elsewhere in Europe

EUROPE’S TWO KOSHER foie gras factories aren’t in France, by far the leading consumer of the fatty liver product. Nor are they in England, home to Europe’s second-largest Jewish population.

Instead, they are both in Hungary — where there are few Jews and no more than half a dozen kosher eateries in total.

Part of the reason may have to do with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s reputation among his many critics for weaponizing xenophobia — including against Jews.

The European Union has grown increasingly critical of Orban, condemning his refusal to admit asylum seekers, erosion of the judiciary’s independence and, most recently, making it illegal to share information about homosexuality with minors.

But Belgium, where the EU is based, recently banned the production of kosher and halal meat — and the EU’s top court recently upheld the ban.

The saga provided the Orban government with a fresh opportunity to level allegations of civil rights violations at his detractors similar to the ones they are flinging at him, while presenting Hungary as the guardian of liberties that are being curtailed elsewhere in Europe.

FULL STORY Hungary is Europe’s unlikely leader in kosher foie gras production — to Viktor Orban’s advantage (JTA)

Photo: Rabbi Jacob Werchow presents geese slaughtered by his team on Csengele, Hungary in September (Cnaan Liphshiz)