Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced his intention to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Hungary, openly defying the International Criminal Court (ICC) over its recent arrest warrant for Netanyahu. The ICC accuses Netanyahu of alleged war crimes in Gaza, a charge Orbán dismissed as a “complete defamation” of international law.
“This is wrong in itself,” Orbán declared during a Friday morning interview with Hungarian state radio. “There is no other choice here: We have to confront this decision, and so later today I will invite the prime minister of the Israelis, Mr. Netanyahu, to visit Hungary.”
The ICC’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant accuses the two leaders of committing crimes against humanity and war crimes during Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip amid its war against Hamas. The move has deepened international divides, with some nations supporting the ICC’s jurisdiction while others call the decision politically motivated and inflammatory.
U.S. President Joe Biden criticized the ICC warrants as “outrageous,” signaling strong U.S. support for Israel amid growing tensions in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp stated that the Netherlands would comply with the ICC mandate and arrest Netanyahu if he entered Dutch territory.
Orbán’s invitation to Netanyahu positions Hungary as the first ICC signatory country to explicitly reject the court’s ruling, taking a starkly different stance from other European nations. While Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Austria’s Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg expressed dissatisfaction with the ICC decision, neither went as far as Orbán in directly challenging its validity.
Orbán’s invitation can be seen as a direct rebuke of the ICC and a public display of Hungary’s strong bilateral ties with Israel. His statements also align with his broader foreign policy approach, which often emphasizes national sovereignty over international institutional mandates.
“We will proceed solely on the basis of the quality and state of Israeli-Hungarian relations,” Orbán affirmed.
Hungary and Israel have deepened their relations in recent years, with Orbán frequently praising Netanyahu’s leadership. Both leaders share a common ideological stance on issues such as nationalism, migration, and counterterrorism, fostering a strong rapport between their governments.
Orbán’s decision carries potentially significant diplomatic consequences. As a member state of the ICC, Hungary’s refusal to uphold the court’s arrest warrant raises questions about its commitment to international law. Critics argue that Hungary’s defiance undermines the ICC’s authority and sets a precedent for other nations to disregard its rulings.
On the other hand, Orbán’s supporters argue that the ICC’s actions are politically motivated and lack impartiality. They contend that by rejecting the court’s mandate, Hungary is standing up for a valued ally and taking a principled stance against what they view as a flawed decision.
The decision also places Hungary at odds with other European Union (EU) member states. While EU foreign policy has consistently supported the ICC as a pillar of international justice, Orbán’s gesture highlights the bloc’s internal divisions on issues related to Israel and Palestine.
If Netanyahu accepts Orbán’s invitation, the visit could have far-reaching diplomatic implications. Netanyahu would effectively use Hungary as a platform to challenge the ICC’s legitimacy and rally support among countries critical of its rulings.
However, the visit would also draw international scrutiny and protests. Human rights organizations and pro-Palestinian groups are likely to condemn Hungary’s decision, accusing it of enabling impunity for alleged war crimes.
Hungary could also face legal challenges from ICC member states or international advocacy groups. Under the Rome Statute, ICC signatories are obligated to cooperate with the court, including executing arrest warrants. By inviting Netanyahu and signaling that the warrant will not be enforced, Hungary risks violating its treaty obligations.
The ICC’s involvement in Israeli-Palestinian affairs has been a contentious issue for years. Israel, which is not a party to the ICC, has consistently rejected the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that it lacks authority over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israeli officials have accused the ICC of bias and claimed its investigations unfairly target Israel while ignoring alleged war crimes by Palestinian groups.
The ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant follows a protracted investigation into alleged human rights violations in the Gaza Strip. The investigation has drawn widespread criticism from Israeli leaders and their allies, who argue that the court’s actions exacerbate tensions in the region rather than promoting accountability.
