The radical right wing in Hungary is taking to the streets in reaction to Israeli President Shimon Peres' comment that "Israel is buying up Hungary", which was published on the Maariv website nrg. At a gathering of businessmen in Tel Aviv on October 10, the president said, "The economic situation in Israel is excellent. We are buying up Manhattan, Romania, Hungary and Poland, all due to Israeli business acumen and connections."

The major Hungarian newspapers quoted Peres's words from the Maariv article, and the reactions were not long in coming. A wave of anti-Semitic reaction swiftly began in Hungary, and there is soon to be a large protest by the radical right in front of the Israeli embassy.

For some time already, members of the radical right wing in Hungary have been claiming that "Israelis and other foreigners are taking over the country, and it will not be long before the Israelis buy out the government and take over all industry and employment." Thus Peres' words fell on fertile ground. "This is one more indication that Israel wants to turn Hungary into its colony," said one right-wing speaker.