It has emerged that the Hungarian government has provided much of the funding for life-size bronze statue honouring Bálint Hóman. Hóman was a key figure in the persecution of Hungarian Jews before and during World War II. He played a significant role in the drafting of anti-Jewish laws adopted in Hungary during the late 1930s, and supported Nazi Germany and the fascist Arrow Cross regime in 1944. Hóman remained unrepentant until his death in 1951.
The Székesfehérvár foundation, which is erecting the statue (with a major contribution from the Hungarian taxpayer), claimed that the statue honours Hóman’s academic achievements, including co-authoring an eight-volume history of Hungary published between 1938 and 1941.
The President of the World Jewish Congress, Ronald Lauder, has called on Hungary to stop the unveiling.
Source: World Jewish Congress
