Róbert Győri Szabó

59242084200

Publications - 3

Anti-Zionism in the show trials in Rákosi era Hungary (1948–1953)

Róbert Győri Szabó

Publication Name: Journal of Modern Jewish Studies

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: 24

Issue: 1

Page Range: 24-49

Description:

The Communist regime in Hungary had an ambivalent and contradictory attitude towards Jews, people of Jewish origin, and the Jewish identity during the Rákosi era. While Zionism was tolerated previously, after the Communist takeover, it began to persecute Zionists through (amongst other means) a series of show trials. In these trials, the weight of different accusations (Zionism, anti-Semitism, cosmopolitanism) changed due to various factors, and therefore the anti-Jewish/anti-Semitic characteristics of the court proceedings also changed dynamically. This study draws on archival sources and the Hungarian historical literature to present a comprehensive view of this time and these circumstances.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1080/14725886.2024.2381637

Anti-Zionism of the Communist Party in Hungary During the Rákosi Era (1948-1953)

Róbert Győri Szabó

Publication Name: East European Jewish Affairs

Publication Date: 2026-01-01

Volume: 54

Issue: 1

Page Range: 114-133

Description:

During the years of Stalinism in Hungary, the communist regime had a complex and ambivalent attitude towards people of Jewish origin and Jewish identity. Whereas it had previously tolerated the increasingly popular Zionism during the post-war coalition years, after the regime change in the context of the establishment of the Jewish state and subsequent changes in Soviet policy, this tolerance almost immediately ended. It began to persecute Zionist organizations and Zionists alike, Zionist institutions were liquidated, and criminal proceedings were initiated against their leaders. To explore and present the subject, this study draws on archival sources of the period and the Hungarian secondary literature.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1080/13501674.2025.2596635

1956 AND “THE JEWISH QUESTION” IN HUNGARY

Róbert Győri Szabó

Publication Name: Modern Judaism

Publication Date: 2026-05-01

Volume: 46

Issue: 2

Page Range: 132-156

Description:

The literature generally holds that “the Jewish Question” did not arise even tangentially during the 1956 Hungarian Uprising. We will examine the correctness of this assessment, focusing on Jewish participation in the uprising, (non-) antisemitism present during the events, and the components of the fear that arose among the Jews. We will seek to dispel, by means of contemporary documents and an extensive study of the literature, the common misconceptions that exist on many sides about the 1956 revolution in relation to the Jews.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1093/mj/kjag014