Selen Valente Rasquinho
14 April 2026•Update: 14 April 2026
- 'Broader EU consensus rooted in historical guilt, strategic interests, and domestic politics will continue to weigh on the EU,' Senior journalist Shada Islam notes
The loss of Viktor Orban's government in Hungary has sparked debate in Brussels about whether the EU's policy toward Israel might change, but the general expectation is that the bloc's line will remain the same.
Orban had been widely regarded as one of the most vocal European supporters of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, frequently using Hungary’s veto power within the EU to block or soften critical statements on Israel’s military actions in Gaza and to oppose discussions on sanctions.
Due to EU foreign policy decisions requiring unanimity, Hungary's position under Orban allowed it to influence the tone and pace of EU statements on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Budapest also resisted efforts to expand EU financial assistance to Palestinians and delayed humanitarian-related decisions during periods of escalating crisis in Gaza.
His government additionally took a strong stance against potential International Criminal Court (ICC) action targeting Netanyahu, refusing to recognize the court's authority and offering explicit political backing to Israel's leadership.
Despite his departure from the political scene, analysts say the structural foundations of EU policy are unlikely to change.
European Parliament member Marc Botenga said Orban's role had been obstructive in certain EU decisions but stressed that other member states also share responsibility for limiting stronger EU action on Israel.
"Orban was a staunch ally of Israel, and his removal is a good thing for many reasons. However, a number of EU governments, like the Italian and the German ones, also blocked meaningful action against Israeli crimes," he told Anadolu.
He pointed to broader institutional positions within the bloc, including EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who he says has repeatedly protected Israel from additional accountability.
"They will no longer be able to hide behind Orban now to hide their own complicity," Botenga added.
Brussels-based senior journalist Shada Islam also stressed that Orban's exit alone does not signal a policy shift, noting that support for Israel is deeply rooted in institutional and political structures, including leaders such as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
"While there are countries like Spain that want a tougher EU line on Israel, broader EU consensus rooted in historical guilt (especially Germany’s), strategic interests (countering Iran and extremism), and domestic politics will continue to weigh on the EU," Islam told Anadolu.
"Orban was a high-profile friend of Israel and of Netanyahu, but the policy framework, including arms sales, the association agreement, and science and security cooperation, predate and will outlast him," she added.
