Hungary’s Jewish Community Fears New "Nazi" Army

The extreme-right-wing party Jobbik said Friday, August 3, it would establish the Hungarian Guard because Hungary is currently lacking any "physical, mental or spiritual self-defense".
Despite the outrage, the 56 founding members of Jobbik are planning to have the swearing-in ceremony on August 25 at Budapest’s Buda Castle, the historical seat of Hungarian royalty.

BLACK UNIFORMS

Party members plan to wear black uniforms bearing the controversial red-and-white Arpad Stripes, a medieval coat of arms that became associated with the Nazi-aligned Arrow Cross party in power for a brief period during World War Two, Jobikk said. About 600,000 Hungarian Jews were massacred during that period, often with the active participation of Hungarian fascists.

Jobbik is not represented in parliament but has representatives on several local councils. The Guard has been strongly condemned by Socialists and Liberals and the centre-right Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF).

“There is no need in Hungary in 2007 for a shadow army like the Magyar Garda,” said a representative of the MDF, expressing disapproval that Lajos Fur, a former defence minister and former MDF president would be taking part in the 25 August ceremony.