Israel is closely watching Hungary's upcoming legislative elections, where Prime Minister Viktor Orban faces a serious challenge from opposition leader Peter Magyar and his Tisza party, which polls suggest is gaining ground. Should Orban lose, Israel stands to forfeit its most reliable defender within the European Union — a leader who has repeatedly used Hungary's veto power to block EU sanctions and anti-Israel resolutions that require unanimous approval from all 27 member states. A Hungary under Magyar's leadership would likely align more closely with Brussels, potentially ending that veto shield and complicating Israel's standing on issues ranging from settler sanctions to ICC arrest warrants — with President Trump, meanwhile, publicly urging Hungarian voters to back Orban on Truth Social.