History measures real heroes through the lives touched by their selfless actions. In late 1944 Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat in Budapest, helped save the lives of 100,000 Hungarian Jews scheduled for transportation to Nazi extermination camps.

Wallenberg’s story of confronting evil with the sword of humanitarian concern and moral action is a reminder that hatred can arise anywhere for no apparent reason, but that some men and women will always battle the dark side of human behavior. Wallenberg’s example is poignantly evident in Hungary today where anti-Semitism is a resurgent threat, particularly among far-right political groups.

Hungary at the End of WWII

As the Second World War was ending, Hungary, led by Nazi puppet Admiral Horthy, was home to the last sizeable Jewish community. The Nazis had recruited local fascists, mostly young ruffians calling themselves the Arrow Cross, to harass Jews and assist German SS troops in gathering them for shipment to death camps.

Dragging women, children, and older people to the banks of the Danube River to be drowned, these “patriots” took their cue from Nazi leaders like Adolph Eichmann, who had arrived in Budapest to supervise the pogrom. Time was of the essence: Soviet troops were making their way to this ancient city on the Danube. The war would soon be over.

Wallenberg’s Diplomatic Solution

Wallenberg’s vocation had been set long before arriving in Budapest. Through his well-connected and affluent Swedish family, he had witnessed anti-Semitism during his travels. He not only possessed the determination to save lives and make a difference, but he had the pluck to look powerful men in the face and demand they make crucial, though unpopular, ethical decisions. Budapest’s Jews were issued safety passes, placing them under the protection of the Swedish government, a neutral nation.

Click to Read Page Two: Antisemitism in Postmodern Hungary

© Copyright 2013 Michael Streich, All rights Reserved. Written For: Decoded Past