Heisler, who is also a vice president of the World Jewish Congress, wrote on his Facebook page that he was giving back the Knight's Cross, which he was awarded in 2011, following presentation of the honor last week to the right-wing journalist and columnist Bayer.

Heisler wrote that as a civilian activist promoting diversity and cooperation he was proud of receiving the award, but he could not be in the company, not even virtually, of "a man who a racist, who is anti-Semitic, whose anti-Roma hatred and nation-destroying ideas pollute Hungary, and who is a staunch defender of Hungarian far-right traditions."Read more