Hungarian FM calls for diplomacy, rejects anti-Israeli sanctions
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has called for immediate diplomatic efforts to secure the release of a Hungarian citizen held hostage by Hamas, warning that now is not the time for the European Union to impose sanctions on Israeli settlers.
Szijjártó emphasised Hungary’s priority of reaching a ceasefire and a hostage deal as quickly as possible, Caliber.Az reports per his post on X.
It’s in Hungary’s interest to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal asap to free the Hungarian hostage held by Hamas. Today, there will be strong pressure on us in Brussels to sanction Israeli settlers. That would be the wrong move. This is the time for diplomacy, not sanctions. pic.twitter.com/sfo4GCSqsf
— Péter Szijjártó (@FM_Szijjarto) July 15, 2025
"It’s in Hungary’s interest to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal asap to free the Hungarian hostage held by Hamas. Today, there will be strong pressure on us in Brussels to sanction Israeli settlers. That would be the wrong move. This is the time for diplomacy, not sanctions,” he wrote.
The statement comes ahead of a high-level meeting in Brussels, where EU foreign ministers are gathering in Brussels on July 15 to discuss key developments in the bloc’s policy toward the Israel-Gaza conflict. High on the agenda is a recent agreement announced by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to step up humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave—a move aimed at addressing the deepening crisis in Gaza.
Ministers will also consider possible sanctions against Israel over its ongoing military campaign, which has devastated large parts of Gaza and left the territory’s 2.1 million residents facing starvation.
Among the options under discussion are trade restrictions and the potential suspension of the EU’s association agreement with Israel, a key framework governing political and economic relations between the two sides.
By Sabina Mammadli