Invitation to Visit Hungary
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that he would invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Hungary, offering assurances that the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Netanyahu would be disregarded in Hungary. Orban criticized the ICC’s decision and said that Netanyahu would be able to conduct his visit and negotiations in Hungary “in adequate safety.”
ICC Warrants Against Netanyahu and Hamas Leader
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense chief, Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas leader Ibrahim al-Masri, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the ongoing Gaza conflict. These charges stem from both the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s military response in Gaza.
Orban’s Support for Netanyahu
Orban, a long-time ally of Netanyahu, emphasized that the ICC’s decision was “wrong” and pledged that Hungary would not follow the court’s ruling. He further reiterated his commitment to shielding Netanyahu from the ICC’s jurisdiction while welcoming him for talks in Hungary. This announcement comes as Orban continues to maintain a strong relationship with Netanyahu, having previously hosted him in Budapest in 2017.
Responses from European Countries
The European Union remains divided on the ICC decision. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stated that the warrants were not politically motivated, urging all EU members to respect and implement the court’s decision. However, Hungary, along with the Czech Republic, has been a staunch supporter of Israel, while countries like Spain and Ireland have shown more alignment with Palestinian interests.
The Czech government responded to the ICC’s decision by reaffirming its commitment to international law, though Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala also called the decision “unfortunate.” He expressed concerns that equating Israel’s elected officials with leaders of a terrorist organization undermines the ICC’s credibility.
