Hungarian government grants citizenship to Israeli hostages in Gaza for enhanced protection
A senior Hungarian government official has confirmed to CNN’s Stephanie Halasz and Richard Greene that a number of Israeli hostages currently in Gaza have been awarded Hungarian citizenship and provided with Hungarian passports.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that this decision was made to augment the safeguarding measures for the Israeli hostages.
The Hungarian government’s initiative has been undertaken in close coordination with the Israeli government, emphasizing a collaborative effort to ensure the safety of the individuals involved. Despite this significant development, the Israeli foreign ministry has opted to remain silent on the matter, declining to provide any official statement or comment regarding the citizenship grants.
CNN’s attempts to gather additional information from relevant Israeli entities, including the Hostages and Missing Families Forum and the Prime Minister’s Office, have been met with no official response as of now. The Hungarian official, shedding light on the motivations behind this decision, asserted, “Taking care of Hungarian citizens and those who have Hungarian origins wherever they are in the world is a top priority for the Hungarian government.”
While the senior official did not disclose specifics such as the identities of the hostages, the timing of the citizenship grants, or the exact number of individuals affected, the move underscores Hungary’s commitment to the protection of its citizens and those with Hungarian ties on a global scale. This unexpected development raises questions about the broader implications and diplomatic considerations surrounding the intertwining of citizenship affairs with international hostage situations.
