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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived in Hungary despite an arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
His visit has stirred controversy, as Hungary is a member of the ICC and is technically obligated to enforce its rulings. However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has made it clear that his government will not comply with the court’s decision.
The ICC issued the warrant against Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in November last year, accusing them of committing war crimes during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
The charges stem from Israel’s response to the 7 October attacks by Hamas, which led to a prolonged and devastating conflict. The ongoing war has resulted in the deaths of over 50,000 Palestinians, according to reports from Gaza health authorities.
Israel has strongly rejected the ICC’s accusations, labelling them as politically motivated and unjust. The Israeli government maintains that its military actions are a legitimate act of self-defence.
Netanyahu himself has argued that the ICC has undermined its credibility by issuing warrants against the leader of a democratically elected government.
Orban, a close ally of Netanyahu, has also criticised the ICC’s move, describing the warrants as “brazen, cynical, and completely unacceptable.” He extended an invitation to Netanyahu despite the international legal implications, reinforcing Hungary’s strong ties with Israel.
Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary marks his second trip abroad since the ICC warrant was issued. His first foreign visit was to the United States, where he met with President Donald Trump.
Both Israel and the US are not members of the ICC and have been vocal in their opposition to its actions, accusing the court of bias.
In Hungary, Netanyahu is expected to hold high-level discussions with Orban and participate in a joint press conference. Security around his hotel in central Budapest has been significantly tightened in anticipation of potential protests or security threats.
During his visit, Netanyahu is also scheduled to visit a Holocaust memorial, underlining the historical ties between Israel and Hungary’s Jewish community.
His trip is expected to strengthen diplomatic relations between the two countries while further highlighting the divide between ICC member states over the enforcement of the court’s rulings.
