Debate contributions by Kinga GÁL

Dear Madam President, The EU summit of 23 October was marked by strategic paralysis. He pushed for a failed war policy, while Ukraine and the war lacked the necessary financial resources to continue financing it. The raising of money, on the one hand, calls into question the fundamental principles of law and, on the other hand, would be indebted to generations. It is clear that the cost of misguided decisions in Brussels will be paid by the European people. Meanwhile, the Commission would remove additional competences from Member States, for example under the pretext of forced defence preparedness. The EU’s competitiveness is constantly declining due to the bad Green Deal and high energy prices. Meanwhile, the misguided migration pact continues to be pushed. The October EIT rolled all these problems further and is therefore considered to be a failure. It's time for a change of direction. The EU should finally play an active role in promoting peace as soon as possible. Helping, not hindering, peace talks in Budapest as soon as possible.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Today, the EU is unable to respond to the challenges it faces. It pushes for the wrong solutions, putting at risk the three most important basic promises of European integration: peace, security and prosperity. There is no sign of prosperity. The poison green transition has become a symbol of misguided decisions. Runaway energy prices and excessive bureaucracy in Brussels are putting our farmers and businesses at risk. There can be no competitive turnaround as long as EU leaders are on an ideologically coercive path. Instead of cosmetics, we need a real reduction in bureaucratic burdens and a drastic reduction in energy prices. Our security is under threat from illegal immigration. The migration pact is as bad as it is. For many years, we have been saying that European migration policy must be put on a completely new footing, that illegal immigrants must be stopped at the external borders and that those who are in Europe must be returned effectively as soon as possible. Instead of pushing for peace, there is war rhetoric. Peace should finally become a reality in Ukraine. Instead of licking the attitude of the leaders of the European Union and talking about war proposals, everything should be done to support a diplomatic solution. A potential Trump-Putin summit in Budapest would be a historic opportunity, a chance for peace in Ukraine. This is Europe's only interest today.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Two years after Hamas' terrorism brought inhumane suffering to Israelis and Palestinians, the torment in the region could end. After two years of torture, the Israeli hostages were finally able to return home. President Trump's historic move: Diplomacy works when there is strength and will behind it. The Middle East settlement is not just a regional issue, but a global geopolitical turning point. However, the EU has been left out of this settlement in the Middle East. Two weeks ago, the President of the Commission talked about sanctions against Israel here in this room, while preparations were already underway for a peace agreement. In doing so, the Union has weakened its strategic position, while the European Union has to cope with another serious problem, increasingly aggressive anti-Semitism. The anti-Semitic, anti-Israel incidents on the streets of Western Europe are unacceptable. I am proud that Hungary, on the other hand, is an island of security for the Jewish community. This is evidenced by the safe organisation of many events. The peace achieved by Trump in Gaza should be an incentive for further peace initiatives to become a reality in Ukraine after the Middle East. A potential Trump-Putin summit in Budapest could be a historic opportunity, a chance for peace. This is something that the EU should finally be constructive about, so that it does not stay on the bench again.

Dear Madam President, Prime Minister, Europe is in crisis today and cannot find its place in a changing world order. The Union has strayed from the path set by the founding fathers, which made it such a successful project in the second half of the 20th century. Let us not forget that the European Union was created to bring peace, security and prosperity to its citizens. Where national interests are respected and a balance is maintained between Brussels and the Member States. Today we see the opposite. Centralisation efforts and misguided decisions in Brussels threaten the future of the Union. Today, instead of peace, the President of the Commission himself talks about Europe being at war. Sending more weapons, sending more soldiers, would drag Europe into the war. Instead of security, we see the consequences of the misguided Brussels migration policy. Women and children are not safe. Anti-Semitism is rising again. Instead of prosperity, Europe's competitiveness and economy are in decline as a result of poison greening. The Brussels bureaucracy is working today to overwrite the founding treaties and further curtail the sovereignty of the Member States. This is the exact opposite of a Europe based on the cooperation of sovereign nations. If there is no change, the EU can take the path of disintegration. Most people want change, where they finally deal with their real problems. This was the result of the Czech election. The only credible alternative to defending Europe today is the Patriots.

Dear Madam President, Today, the European Union is weaker than ever. The series of erroneous decisions initiated by the European Commission is destroying the continent's economy, threatening the security of its citizens and undermining the sovereignty of the Member States. You are calling for more arms and sanctions instead of peace as soon as possible. Instead of protecting our borders, it's pushing for a bad migration pact. With the Green Deal, bad trade deals, it has weakened Europe's competitiveness, leaving families, farmers and businesses behind. Ukraine’s accelerated accession threatens the Union’s security and prosperity. Observance and enforcement of the principles of democracy and the rules have become ideologically based, while the functioning of the President of the Commission lacks transparency and accountability, and the rule of law is used as a political weapon. They withhold EU funds and apply double standards to democratically elected governments. Instead of a plurality of opinions, other opinions are silenced. In your State of the Union speech, you confirmed: They don't want to change direction. This is detrimental to European cooperation. The European Commission has become the problem. Madam President, please. Citizens’ trust has steadily declined, I say to Manfred Weber, who seems to be suffering from Orbán’s phobia, and an increasing number of Europeans – just two days ago in the Czech Republic when they voted for Patriots – see that their future is at stake. For all this, we Patriots are demanding change for the sake of Europe. Our message is clear: It's time to leave!

Dear Madam President, We expect respect for the rules of democracy, other opinions for national sovereignty, treaties, including unanimity. Contrary to your understanding, this is what democracy and the ‘Rule of law’ mean. Today, the Patriot faction was waiting for answers to serious questions affecting people. Why Europe today is weaker than ever, with all its consequences: farmers, businesses, the safety of women and our children? Instead of answers, we once again heard a credo of flawed Brussels policies, in addition to indebting our future, along a war logic. Instead of a solution, the European Commission has become the problem itself. We therefore need a new leadership that represents the real interests of the people of Europe. Madam President, please. It's time for you to leave. That's what we Patriots call it.

Dear Madam President, Madam High Representative, Commissioner, When I hear proposals for EU troops to be stationed in Ukraine, I am terrified as the mother of four boys. Any such statement will bring war closer to the European Union, rather than peace for Ukrainians. Today, Europe is weaker than ever. This is evident in the US President's efforts for peace. Today, Ukraine continues to experience the most terrible forms of Russian aggression, destruction. And here, in spite of countless debates and resolutions, in spite of a lot of money sent to Ukraine, we are in the same place, because we lack the confession and the series of actions that this war cannot be won on the battlefield, but only through diplomatic means. Enlargement policy cannot be confused with security guarantees. The Commission is falsely pretending that Ukraine is already fulfilling the conditions, while far from being prepared for an accelerated accession. This is not a merit-based enlargement policy, but a political mistake with serious consequences that must not be concealed. This is particularly cynical of the candidate countries in the Western Balkans, which have been performing for many years. It is in the fundamental interest of the Union as a whole that these serious decisions can only be taken by unanimity and not bypassing Member States. Decisions over people's heads cannot be made prematurely, as they are also about what kind of European Union we leave for future generations. A weakened one, or one who can stand up for his own interests? If we do not face reality honestly, Europe will soon wake up in a cold shower.

Dear Madam President, Commissioner, This is at the heart of the European Citizens' Initiative. I have been following her strenuous development for twelve years and, contrary to the beautiful words the Commissioner has said, in practice the Commission has done everything to make this citizens' initiative impossible and impossible. My father's countryside is a Hungarian-inhabited region in Romania that needs special attention. These regions all over Europe face the same problem: Young people are forced to migrate because their chances are not equal. There is no clear vision. With cohesion policy and legislation, the Commission would have the tools to support communities in these regions, around 50 million citizens belonging to traditional national and linguistic minorities. Unfortunately, it is precisely in these communities that political will is always lacking in a discriminatory way, even though it is about concrete situations and lives, not abstract norm-making. Concrete action is finally needed. To promote the prosperity of these communities in their homeland and to preserve cultural values and traditions. Make investments that prevent natural disasters, such as floods in Szeklerland or the salt mine in Praid. The Commission's hostile, discriminatory attitude is unacceptable. Now is the time to finally act and take the requests of more than a million citizens seriously!

Dear Mr President, Madam President, People all over Europe are looking for real solutions. However, at the last EU summit, the Hungarian Prime Minister was the only one who dared to speak the truth. The forced accession of Ukraine to the EU would destroy the Union. It would have serious consequences for agriculture, the labour market and our security. Opening up markets to Ukraine has far-reaching consequences for our farmers. It is therefore unacceptable that the Commission will once again conclude a trade agreement with Ukraine behind closed doors. We support the strengthening of Member States' defence capabilities and industries, but this must remain a Member State competence and not a tool for further centralisation. Finally, the misguided migration pact should not be enforced. A radical change is needed, even by reviewing the practices of international institutions and courts. The decline in competitiveness is a burning problem, we have heard it many times today. Still, the Commission is making further self-defeating proposals to skyrocket energy prices. Bypassing the treaties and the unanimity of the Member States will lead to the destruction of EU cooperation. Europe finally needs real solutions, not ideological dead ends. That's what the Patriots are fighting for.

Dear Mr President, The Patriots do not support accelerating enlargement policy in line with geopolitical interests. This discredits the EU in the eyes of countries in the region, such as those in the Western Balkans, which have been working hard for years to meet the conditions for membership. This is not the first time that the Union's political compass has gone in the wrong direction, ignoring the real interests of European citizens. For example, it would be necessary for the Commission to carry out without delay a comprehensive impact assessment of the likely consequences of a possible accession of Ukraine. Ukraine does not meet any accession criteria. We are talking about a war-torn country, so with its accelerated accession, we would also import war. For example, the situation of national minority rights is insufficient. The influx of Ukrainian labour is threatening jobs, and the massive influx of agricultural products and the loss of agricultural subsidies are threatening farmers' livelihoods. Cohesion funds would be disproportionately diverted from other Member States. There can be no hasty decisions over people's heads. This is why we initiated a referendum on this issue, which is unique in Hungary and Europe. We will not allow the Hungarian people to pay the price of forced Ukrainian EU membership, just as we cannot allow our sovereignty to be undermined by another stealth withdrawal of powers. Decisions in enlargement policy can only be taken by unanimity, not bypassing Member States on a political basis. This is in the fundamental interest of the Member States and of the Union as a whole.

Dear Madam President, Pour clean water into the glass. This new debate on Hungary cannot bring up anything new; it is not about the enforcement of fundamental rights. It fits perfectly into the political witch hunt and hysteria that we have been witnessing against Hungary for many years. This is precisely the thirtieth time that the left-liberal, People's Party majority in the European Parliament has put our country on the agenda. Most of the time with complete disinterest, with the same lying accusations, with outrageous double standards. They use the rule of law to exert political pressure, because Hungary has a sovereign conservative government that refuses to submit to Brussels' expectations and bravely represents its national interests against the dictates of the mainstream. We say no to war, we do not support Ukraine's forced accession to the EU, and we protect our borders from illegal migration. Our biggest crime right now is standing up for the protection of children against genderlobbies. Everyone in Hungary can live and assemble freely, but for us the best interests of children and their physical and mental development come first. This must be respected by everyone. While this Parliament is attacking Hungary, it is awkward to avoid putting truly serious scandals on the agenda. Where is the debate on the European Court of Justice ruling against the Commission in the Pfizer case? Where is the debate on the Commission's opaque NGO funding? There is a deep silence in these matters. Despite the fact that the patriots initiated a debate, our proposals are being swept down by the left-liberal coalition of the People's Party. This is nothing more than a spike in hypocrisy, dear fellow Members. But they can organize a Hungarian debate every week, they can blackmail us in any way, we will continue to protect our children from gender propaganda, and Hungary from external interference. We will continue to stand for peace. We say no to illegal migration, just as we say no to the forced accession of Ukraine.

Madam President, I'm sorry. After the unimaginable destruction and suffering of the Second World War, Europe was in ruins. Never again! The Founding Fathers, recognizing the consequences of destruction, have created a common Europe whose main goal is to ensure lasting peace, security and prosperity on our continent. Eighty years of celebration in May and the end of the war have not brought true peace and prosperity to all European nations. Because in Central and Eastern Europe, so for us Hungarians, the suffering has not ended. The dark years of communism followed, with the gulags of thousands of men and women, expulsions, reprisals, political purges and restrictions on freedom keeping people in fear for decades to come. Our parents and grandparents, and even in our memory, still live these feelings vividly today. They were therefore justly longing for the Union, beyond the Iron Curtain, which was a symbol of freedom, peace, security and prosperity for them. This, however, had to wait a long time, until 2004, which is why it is particularly painful for us to feel that these values are now in danger, because instead of peace, war is raging in our neighbourhood. Instead of security, illegal migration poses an increasing threat to public security. Instead of prosperity, we have to face economic weakness. We need to get back to basics: a Union based on mutual respect and sincere cooperation between sovereign nations. Which doesn't lecture me, but respects and supports me. Only in this way will Europe remain a home of peace, security and prosperity.

Mr. President, please. We have had almost 50 plenary debates on the war situation in Ukraine. The EU has sent more than €150 billion in support to Ukraine. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people were lost on the frontline, and we were no closer to ending the war. This is a failure of the European strategy. At last, the Union should be determined to take active action and support diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire and lasting peace as soon as possible, since that is why the founding fathers established the Union at the end of the Second World War, and this is what the people of Ukraine need most rapidly today. The institutions with the left-liberal People's Party coalition at the forefront, as can be seen from the document of the People's Party Congress, would nevertheless further increase Ukraine's military support. More recently, the legitimate goal of developing European defence capabilities has also been used to send more weapons and money to Ukraine. This is not in Europe's interest. Just as tightening energy supplies, raising energy prices and making Central European countries impossible is not in Europe's interest, nor is it in Ukraine's interest to join by 2030 on a purely political and accelerated basis. Moreover, opening up the internal market to Ukraine even before full accession would have unforeseeable consequences for the economy, agricultural policy, cohesion policy or the labour market. Ukraine does not meet any accession criteria, but this is not the case. However, there is no room for double standards in the EU's enlargement policy. EU decision-makers must represent the interests of the European people. This question cannot be decided over the heads of the Hungarian people.

Mr. President, please. Stability in the Western Balkans is a fundamental interest of the European Union and Serbia is a key country. It is therefore in our security and strategic interest to support the country's European path. After 20 years of accession, the EU has slowly lost credibility in the region. As Patriot responsible for the report we are discussing, I see the text as unbalanced, too one-sided. There is no doubt that the country still has a lot to do in many areas, but the Serbian government's European commitment and efforts made so far should be evaluated in the areas of energy policy, family policy, visa policy or minority policy, including the situation of the Hungarian community in Vojvodina. Instead, the text focuses only on shortcomings and contains grossly unfair ideological biases. There is no room for double standards in European enlargement policy. Unfortunately, the ideological approach, the actual political interest is becoming more and more pronounced instead of neutral, performance-based evaluation. While Ukraine's accession will be put on an accelerating track, the Western Balkan candidate countries, which have been struggling for many years, will remain on the shores. Serbia's European integration can contribute to curbing illegal migration and ensuring energy supply in the long term, so it is in Europe's and Hungary's interest to have a stable Serbia committed to the EU. That is why we support Serbia's accession to the EU.

Dear Madam President, It is scary that the EU promotes a kind of war psychosis. It was in this spirit that the Annual Report on the Common Foreign and Security Policy was drawn up, which was a very biased text. If we move forward with this foreign policy strategy, it is no wonder that the Union is left alone in the new geopolitical field. Rather than inciting panic, the EU should work to strengthen peace-building diplomacy and European defence policy, as well as to build institutional credibility with citizens. The European Commission produces an escalation narrative. Proposing a new contingency strategy for European citizens to build up 72 hours of emergency reserves creates fear, sends the message that war is escalating, disaster can happen at any time, creating a continuous sense of danger. There is no war in the EU, and we hope there will be no war. The EU should recognise the efforts of the American leadership towards a ceasefire and peace in order to finally end the devastation in Ukraine. Europe must speak with the voice of peace, because it was created as a peace project and cannot act as a catalyst in a war machine. The report puts unacceptable pressure on Hungary for not supporting arms transfers to Ukraine. The text attacks the Prime Minister's peace mission, even though many of his statements at the time have since been confirmed. Should we also be honest about the consequences of Ukraine's accession for the electorate, for European citizens, in the fields of agriculture, security and the labour market?

Dear Madam President, The European Union is a peace project created to guarantee peace and security for its citizens. The Commission's latest proposal is for European citizens to build up an emergency reserve of 72 hours. It's basically a war of panic. This is dangerous because it creates fear and is unfounded. After three years of terrible destruction in Ukraine, what is most needed now is Europe's support for the new US administration's diplomatic efforts towards a ceasefire and peace. There is no question that Europe needs to do more to ensure its own security. That is why it is important to strengthen defence capabilities, but we must not allow this to lead to further centralisation in Brussels, to the undermining of national sovereignty, nor can it come from new joint borrowing. But the strengthening of European defence must be separated from the issue of arms deliveries to Ukraine. And we should also be honest about the fact that Ukraine's accession to the EU would be a major challenge for both our agriculture, cohesion policy, the labour market and security. Instead of harmful, ideologically driven decisions, it is time for real solutions in the areas of competitiveness, the car market or agriculture. Today, the security of the people of Europe is threatened above all by mass illegal immigration and a misguided migration policy in Brussels. The migration pact is bad. We know that. We don't need cosmetics, we need a change of concept. A radical turn is needed against the European Commission and the left-liberal coalition of the People's Party, which is the embodiment of change. We, the patriots, represent the turn of events. No matter how they try to silence our leaders, democracy in Europe must not be defended from Viktor Orbán. Yesterday was a dark day in the history of French democracy. In a democracy, the decision must be made in elections, not in our courts. And we stand by Marine Le Pen.

Dear Madam President, In June, a majority of voters voted for change. They had every reason to do that. The legacy of the past few years has been a multiple crisis. There is a war going on in the neighbourhood, the migration situation is unresolved, the European economy is stagnating, and the Schengen system is deteriorating. So the citizens voted for change, but the President of the Commission chose to remain unchanged, to maintain the status quo with the help of the left-liberal EPP majority. The first sign of this was that the Commissioners' hearings were reduced to political farce. It is predetermined who will be supported and who will not, regardless of the performance of the Commissioners-designate. Politically, they blocked qualified candidates just because they were conservative right-wingers, and they let over people who didn't give proper answers to fundamental questions, or who had problematic perceptions. Then, in order for this von der Leyen Commission to pass, the left has reached a coalition agreement with the liberals and the People's Party. This agreement is a proof of the sameness, a continuation of the mistakes made so far. They want a migration pact, more support for war, more bureaucracy, more ideologies. It was also confirmed that the President of the Commission is still expected to use EU funds for blackmail. It is possible to make short-term pacts, but the will of the people cannot be swept away. Madam President, we patriots will not forget how, in the debate on the Hungarian Presidency, he attacked Hungary in an unprecedented manner, abusing his role by making political campaign speeches against a government of a Member State. This indicates that you continue to embody the erroneous policy of the past years. And we will continue to want change, and we will be their voice. Therefore, the Patriots Group does not support this Commission. Europe deserves more than that.

Madam President, I'm sorry. It is the thousandth day of the devastating war in Ukraine and the end is not apparent. Our position is clear from the beginning of the war: We condemn Russia's military aggression, which is not only a serious violation of international law, but is also morally unjustifiable. We sympathise with the people of Ukraine, recognise their right to self-defence and stand up for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Like the EU as a whole, Hungary is helping Ukraine beyond its strength. It is carrying out and has carried out the largest humanitarian aid operation in the history of our country. Since the outbreak of the war, ten thousand refugees have arrived in our country every day, with a total of more than 1.4 million Ukrainian asylum seekers received so far. We provide housing, health care and mother tongue education to refugees in Hungary. We will continue to do everything we can to help the Ukrainian people. Prolonged fighting caused irreparable damage, hundreds of thousands were killed and wounded, families were torn apart and displaced. As a mother of four sons, I have special sympathy for mothers. It's the only way I can watch the terrible devastation of the last thousand days. Incomprehensible human tragedy and suffering. The longer the war lasts, the more casualties there will be, the more difficult it will be to secure human supplies for Ukraine. Our pain is exacerbated by the fact that an increasing number of Transcarpathian Hungarians, as well as members of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, are losing their lives on the front line, alongside Ukrainians. The war is happening in our neighbourhood, so for us the escalation of the conflict would have drastic consequences. That is why we are not involved in arms deliveries to Ukraine and we are opposed to proposals that could lead to escalation. We have to face the fact that the EU’s Ukraine strategy so far has not lived up to expectations and has not brought the war to an end. I am convinced that the most important thing in a war conflict is to save lives and help those who suffer. This requires a ceasefire and peace talks as soon as possible, as this is the only way to end the devastation. It is good that more and more people are talking about the importance of a diplomatic solution. With the election of Donald Trump, we now have a better chance than ever. And if the war is to end, we will need a comprehensive strategy for the reconstruction of Ukraine and the role of the Union in it. First and foremost, we need to focus on peace-building.

Dear colleagues, Congratulations on Donald Trump's historic victory. A new chapter in transatlantic relations is finally opening. There is now a chance that the devastating war in our neighbourhood will end as soon as possible, and that there will be an armistice and then peace. It is also time for Europe to finally do more for its own security and to increase its global weight. The competitiveness pact adopted last week in Budapest is a good basis for the latter. The majority of people overseas, as in Europe in June, voted for change. Voters have said no to the policies of the liberal elite, and patriotic parties that support peace, oppose illegal migration and support families have strengthened. With Donald Trump's victory, common sense prevailed over waking madness. This is also good news for free speech. The Americans decided to make America great again. Now it is up to us to make Europe great. The patriots are ready!

Dear Madam President, In addition to a number of bad decisions, one of the biggest mistakes of the outgoing Commission was the pushing through of the migration pact. Instead of the old bad solutions, we need to stop illegal migration, effective external border protection, the processing of immigrant applications outside Europe, cooperation with countries of origin and transit, and effective pushbacks. Otherwise, uncontrolled mass migration will destroy Europe and Schengen free movement. There is a migration crisis, and more and more leaders in the Member States are rebelling against flawed decisions. Germany introduces internal border controls and Poland suspends the application of EU migration rules. Since 2015, the Hungarian government has been advocating and taking action to strengthen external border protection and stop illegal immigrants, but we have only been penalised for this. It is scandalous and unworthy that the European Commission is punishing Hungary with 200 million euros for protecting Europe's external borders. While they quietly agree that the protection of external borders is an obligation, it is not a crime. What a duplicity! What a hypocracy! That's true. The Italian Interior Minister Salvini, who has been threatened with six years in prison, is also unacceptable. Forcing illegal migration is tearing the EU apart, disrupting European cooperation, and Member States must therefore be given the opportunity to opt out of the flawed Brussels policy. Throw aside the bad migration pact and stop the punishments imposed on Hungary!

Dear Madam President, This was the culmination of the hypocracy, unworthy of the President of the Commission. Dear Prime Minister, I am pleased to welcome you here today, Prime Minister of the Patriots, on behalf of the third largest faction, the Patriots. This is a historic moment. You seem to be annoying Mr. Weber. The creation of the Patriots stemmed from the demand expressed by voters in June for change. The priorities of the Hungarian Presidency reflect the common sense policy that Europe so desperately needs today. Dear Prime Minister, Europe is in a worse position than it has been in decades, and I regret that the President of the Commission campaigned against a government instead of talking about them. That European peace is in danger, that our hour is ticking to stop illegal migration and the decline of European competitiveness. We therefore welcome the Budapest Competitiveness Pact, because it would counterbalance a series of erroneous decisions in Brussels that threaten European prosperity. We welcome the proposal for Schengen summits that would safeguard free movement in the Schengen area. Today, with its misguided migration policy, Brussels is destroying precisely this most fundamental achievement. Protecting our external borders requires support, not outrageous punishment. We welcome any initiative to end the bloodshed in Ukraine, leading to communication, a ceasefire and peace. We reject all false attacks against Hungary and our Hungarian Prime Minister. Instead of a campaign of hatred, you, my fellow Members, should be shouting for peace, security and prosperity in Europe. Parliament's biggest act in months has been to enforce the "cordon sanitaire" against the patriotic right. Quite a disgraceful result! We Patriots are proud that our Prime Minister has a realistic assessment of the situation, states that Europe is in trouble and has concrete proposals for solutions. Prime Minister, you can count on the Patriot faction, you can count on voters all over Europe.

Dear Madam President, Although we have recovered physically, mentally and mentally we are still hostages of Hamas since 7 October. I quote the wife of a hostage whose husband, along with hundreds of other innocent Israelis, was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists. I personally met the relatives of the hostages, the survivors of the horror. It was shocking to hear their stories. The immediate release of the hostages still in captivity is a priority. As we mourn the victims, we sympathize with their families and stand with Israel. The Jewish people have not suffered such a tragedy since the Holocaust as they did a year ago on October 7. Israel has the right to self-defence and the dismantling of terrorist organizations. Hamas' attack on Israel has sparked a humanitarian catastrophe that now threatens the stability of the entire Middle East region. A year ago, we were also confronted with the fact that, with mass immigration, Europe also imported the rise of anti-Semitism. This has become particularly visible on the streets of Western Europe since last year's Hamas attack. Anti-Semitic atrocities have intensified, and demonstrations celebrating terrorist Hamas have become commonplace. Our position is clear. We condemn all forms of anti-Semitism. Hungary is therefore an island of peace for Jews in Europe today.

Madam President, as the nominal composition of the delegations will be announced today, I take this occasion to express the wish of my group that the delegations will have bureaus that reflect the composition of Parliament. For the bureaus of the committees, this is not the case, contrary to Rules 34 and 219. I ask you, Madam President, pursuant to Rule 22(2) of the Rules of Procedure, to see to it that the rules are being respected and applied – not only with regard to the delegations, but also with regard to the committees.