Netanyahu set to visit Hungary despite ICC arrest warrant
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) shake hands during a press conference after their meeting in Jerusalem, Israel, February 19, 2019. (AFP Photo)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit Hungary next month, despite facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
If confirmed, this would mark Netanyahu’s first visit to a European country since the ICC issued arrest warrants for him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Last month, Netanyahu traveled to the United States despite the ICC warrant but avoided stopping in any European countries during his trip.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas, told Israeli Channel 12 that Netanyahu is expected to visit Hungary in the coming weeks. Gulyas indicated that the visit would likely occur before Easter, which falls on April 20 this year.
‘Risk of arrest still looms’
The visit comes at the invitation of Orban, a close ally of Netanyahu. Orban served as the rotating president of the European Union when the ICC issued the arrest warrant.
“There is no way to reach Hungary without passing through the airspace of other countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute, so the risk of arrest still looms over Netanyahu,” Channel 12 reported.
Israeli authorities have not confirmed Netanyahu’s planned visit to Hungary.
Since October 2023, more than 48,500 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza during a brutal Israeli offensive. The assault was paused in January under a ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement.
Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.
