Anti-Semitism accusation and far-right actor at the Los Angeles Hungarian House

I never expected that, 70 years after World War II, a Hungarian organization in the United States would be accused of anti-Semitism.

California Court documents reveal a long running legal dispute between Steven A. Kőváry, a CPA, and the United Magyar House in Los Angeles. Mr. Kőváry has accused Miklós Pereházy, president, and Ms. Tímea Antal, finance director, of anti-Semitism, although the court didn’t find that prejudice played a role in their financial dispute. (Read court document here.)

In the last few years, under the label of “national unity”, Hungarian government supported activists have started to export right-wing ideology to North-America. Most Hungarian-Americans are baffled by these visitors. Who invites these people? Who supports them?

The Hungarian Free Press reported an earlier anti-Semitic incident at the United Magyar House. Mr. Pereházy invited actress Fruzsina Pregitzter who is popular in far-right circles. On her widely distributed video, she is reciting a viciously anti-Semitic tale depicting Jews as rats. (HFP article and Mr. Pereházy’s response) Although there are other talented actresses in Hungary, Mr. Pereházy insisted on promoting Ms. Pregitzer who many of us consider a far-right sympathizer. When we reported her show Mr. Pereházy assured HFP that her anti-Semitic repertoire wouldn’t be presented in California.

This year United Magyar House organized a Marcius 15 celebration and invited Ms. Katalin Szili, an ex-Socialist Hungarian politician who now works for the Orbán government. I was surprised to discover that Mr. Pereházy also invited Mr. Károly Szíki, an actor from the Hungarian city of Eger. Mr. Szíki is not just an actor; he is a far-right activist who frequently speaks at Hungarian racist and neo-Nazi events. He spoke at a Jobbik anti-Roma rally in Miskolc (Mr. Szíki at an anti-Roma rally – Video); he also spoke at a Jobbik rally in Eger. (Video – Szíki at a Jobbik rally in Eger) Mr. Szíki proudly states that his message is popular in the US and he also got invited to Oakland, CA read here.

Katalin Szili with Károly Szíki in Los Angeles.

Katalin Szili with Károly Szíki in Los Angeles.

Poster of this year's March 15 event in Los Angeles.

Poster of this year’s March 15 event in Los Angeles.

Mr. Pereházy never apologized for bringing Ms. Pregitzer to the US and I don’t expect that he will apologize for inviting Mr. Szíki either. To be fair, Pereházy also stages Jewish events, but I don’t think that showing a Holocaust film will erase (or “balance”) the fact that he consistently invites far-right Hungarian activists.

The House also has become a favorite venue to spread “Orbánism” in California. Numerous Hungarian Government politicians have visited and spoke there, including János Áder, Gergely Prőhle, Szabolcs Takács, Réka Szemerkényi, and Ferenc Kumin. The United Magyar House doesn’t invite opposition political figures, yet the House still claims to be “independent.” Also, Mr. Pereházy is proud to work closely with Hungarian Consul General, Mr. László Kálmán, and to stage free lobbying opportunities for Mr. Orbán’s politicians.

Mr. Pereházy (left) coordinates strategy with Hungarian diplomats Mr. László Kálmán (Los Angeles) and Mr. Ferenc Kumin (New York).

Mr. Pereházy (left) coordinates strategy with Hungarian diplomats Mr. László Kálmán (Los Angeles) and Mr. Ferenc Kumin (New York).

According to their website the mission of the United Magyar House is “to promote and cherish the Hungarian culture, language and tradition, further to unite the Hungarians living in Los Angeles” and proudly host “our National Holydays”. In the past they have observed “Trianon Day,” a brand new right-wing holiday, on June 4th, but had no gathering on July 4th to recognize America’s Independence Day. Strange. (See Magyar House website.)

I wonder if the House qualifies as an IRS 501 non-profit organization. It would be more appropriate to change it to a formal lobbying organization and continue to operate as a promotional arm of the Orbán Government.

György Lázár

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