Victor Orban wasn't the only loser in the Hungarian elections that were swept by Peter Magyar on April 12, Israel is also a big loser.

Orban repeatedly used Hungary’s position to block or dilute EU criticism of Israel, effectively acting as a one-country firewall. Hungary blocked EU joint statements criticising Israel for the deaths and indiscriminate bombing of civilians in Gaza. It vetoed or stalled sanctions and diplomatic measures designed to pressure Israel into ending the campaign. And Israeli officials often described Hungary as a “last line of defence” in Brussels.

Budapest refused to support EU language seen as “one-sided” against Israel and opposed labelling of products produced by Israeli settlements in the occupied territories.

In return, Orban gained a powerful ally, especially when it came to influence in the US. Orban and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu became close friends, frequently visiting each other.

Controversially, Hungary opened a trade office in Jerusalem, symbolically recognising the city as Israel’s de facto capital, when the formal seat of government is in Tel Aviv.

In international legal disputes, Hungary was usually willing to go further than most European countries in supporting Israel. In 2025, Hungary started the process of withdrawing from the International Criminal Court during Netanyahu’s visit, which had issued an arrest warrant on war crime charges. As a signature to the Statues of Rome, on paper Hungary was obliged to arrest Netanyahu on his arrival in Hungary, but nothing happened, undermining the authority of both the ICC and the warrant.

That was also a favour to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has also been indicted by the ICC on charges of kidnapping Ukrainian children.

More generally, Hungary’s overt support of Israel was also seen favourably in Washington, Israel’s closest ally, and opened a path for close ties with US President Donald Trump, who Orban also visited frequently.

That support was on display during last week’s election campaign when US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Budapest to endorse Orban’s run for re-election. Likewise, Netanyahu sent his son to campaign for Orban, as well as a personal video to Orban's rally.

It appears those endorsements backfired as the US and Israel pariahs themselves amongst Europeans. Trump recently overtook Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping as the most unpopular leader in the world. A record 48% of adults worldwide now disapprove of the US’ leadership, marking the highest level since tracking began, according to a Gallup poll in April. Trump even beat out North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and the Ayatollah Khamenei.

It is not clear where the new Hungarian Prime Minister will stand on relations with the US and Israel. Magyar may attempt to keep some of the bonhomie going for the same political coverage it provides in the Trump administration.

And as a former member of Orban’s Fidesz partly, Magyar shares some of the same ideologies with the outgoing incumbent. Orban framed Israel as a frontline state against terrorism and migrants, a standard trope in Hungarian politics, which positioned itself as a pro-Israel, anti-liberal bloc inside Europe.

However, Magyar has announced his first trip abroad will be to visit Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk followed by a trip to Austria and then Brussels, suggesting Magyar will focus more on regional relations and the economy than big picture geo-politics. All-in-all, Magyar has said little on foreign policy, but he has pledged to align Hungary more closely with the EU and as a reliable Nato partner.

In general, analysts are expecting a change from Orban’s obstructive, transactional model to a more conventional centre-right, pro-EU, pro-Nato model under Magyar. For Europe Orbán’s departure should mean easier EU decision-making and less Russian leverage.