Netanyahu challenges ICC arrest warrant with Hungary visit
Budapest: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Budapest on Thursday, marking his first trip to Europe since 2023. His visit comes in defiance of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who invited Netanyahu last November, has openly criticised the ICC’s decision and vowed that Hungary would not enforce the warrant. Hungary is an ICC member but argues that it is not legally bound to comply due to constitutional reasons.
Hungary defies ICC arrest warrant
The ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, citing allegations of war crimes, including starvation as a method of warfare in the Israel-Gaza conflict. The court has stated that Hungary, as a signatory of the Rome Statute, has a legal responsibility to execute the warrant. However, Hungary has not formally enacted ICC-related laws and has hinted at leaving the court altogether.
Hungary’s Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky welcomed Netanyahu in Budapest with military honours. A joint press conference between Netanyahu and Orban is scheduled for later in the day.
Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary is widely seen as an attempt to challenge the ICC’s authority and reaffirm diplomatic ties with allies who oppose the court’s actions. Moshe Klughaft, an international strategic consultant and former advisor to Netanyahu, suggested that the prime minister is testing safe destinations before attempting broader international travel.
Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz has previously stated that Netanyahu would be welcome in Germany, while the United States has imposed sanctions on the ICC, calling its actions against Israel "illegitimate and baseless."
Orban-Netanyahu talks and diplomatic agenda
Orban and Netanyahu are expected to discuss Israel’s conflict with Hamas, the situation in Gaza, and former US President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians to neighbouring countries. Netanyahu has praised Orban’s stance, thanking him for showing "moral clarity."
The visit also comes at a time of increasing political pressure for Netanyahu at home. His government faces scrutiny over attempts to reshape Israel’s judiciary, replace top security officials, and investigate alleged payments from Qatar to his senior staff.
The ICC has no independent enforcement mechanism and relies on its 125 member states to carry out arrests. However, some leaders have travelled to ICC member states without consequence. In 2023, Mongolia welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin despite an outstanding ICC warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
As Netanyahu remains in Hungary until Sunday, his visit underscores the ongoing debate over the ICC’s role and its ability to hold world leaders accountable.
(With AFP inputs)