Haaretz Podcast 'The Hungarians turned their anxiety into hope, that's the main lesson for Israelis'
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Apr 17, 2026 David Issacharoff, Haaretz correspondent who reported from Budapest, gives on-the-ground analysis of Hungary’s shock election. He describes why voters ousted Orbán, shares voices from youth rallies, and outlines how the result reshapes European ties with Israel. He also draws parallels to Israeli politics and the central lesson about turning widespread anxiety into hope.
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Young Voters Saw Orbán As An Existential Threat
- Hungarian youth voted to keep Hungary in Europe and feared becoming a pariah under Viktor Orbán.
- Young voters repeatedly said they love Budapest and their culture but would leave if Orbán stayed, making the election existential for them.
Rally Voices Mixed Profanity With Patriotism
- Protesters and rally-goers used blunt language and emotional pleas to describe Orbán's rule at a final campaign rally.
- Voices ranged from profanity-laced insults to patriotic declarations about wanting to raise kids in Hungary.
Corruption Drove Older Voters Away From Orbán
- Older Hungarians often defected from Orbán over corruption and declining public services.
- Interviewees cited nepotism, stolen funds, missing doctors and pensions, and a 2024 pardon scandal as turning points.