Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Hungary on Thursday on a four-day visit, despite an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant over suspected war crimes in Gaza. The trip is at a time when Israel is ramping up its military campaign in the enclave.
ICC-member Hungary is duty-bound to impose arrest warrants emanating from the court. That has not fazed Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who stood up to the ruling in opposition, promising Netanyahu that Hungary won’t be on board. This is Netanyahu’s second foreign excursion since the ICC issued warrants last November against Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Netanyahu will encounter Orban in Budapest prior to speaking at 1000 GMT to a news conference. A visit to a Holocaust memorial is also part of his itinerary but other details on his schedule are scarce. There were security rehearsals in Budapest, with one stage being built at Buda Castle for the official welcoming ceremony.
The visit is also in the midst of political upheaval for Netanyahu, who is under scrutiny for claims that three of his aides were connected to Qatari interests. Netanyahu has called the accusations “fake news,” while Qatar has termed the claims a “smear campaign.”
Hungary also echoed Israel’s rejection of the ICC verdict, with Orban labeling it “brazen, cynical, and entirely unacceptable.” The ICC, though, restated that its decisions are legally binding for all member states.
In the meantime, Israel has ratcheted up its Gaza offensive, capturing pieces of the enclave and demanding the release of 59 remaining hostages. The conflict, which erupted after Hamas launched its October 7 attack, has resulted in widespread international censure and ongoing legal action at the International Court of Justice.
