Hungary Visit Scheduled for Netanyahu Before Easter, Says Orban’s Chief of Staff

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit Hungary before Easter, marking a significant diplomatic trip amid an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against him.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who invited Netanyahu last November, has rejected the ICC’s authority in this case, ensuring that Hungary will not enforce the warrant.

"According to current plans, Netanyahu will arrive before Easter," Hungarian government official Gergely Gulyas announced on Thursday, while emphasizing heightened security considerations surrounding the visit.

Hungary, like all European Union members, is a signatory to the Rome Statute, which obligates member states to enforce ICC rulings. However, Orban has frequently clashed with the EU over issues of sovereignty, democracy, and human rights, and has made clear that Netanyahu will not be arrested on Hungarian soil.

This stance contrasts sharply with other European nations that have declared they would detain Netanyahu if he entered their territory.

On November 21, 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, his former defense chief, and Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri, alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the ongoing Israel-Gaza war.

The war began following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. In response, Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza, where Gaza health officials report over 48,000 deaths.

A truce has been in effect since January 19, during which Hamas released 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals in exchange for 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary underscores the deepening alliance between Israel and Hungary under Orban’s leadership. It also highlights growing divisions within Europe over the ICC’s role and Israel’s right to defend itself.

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