Israel's Netanyahu heads to Hungary, defying ICC arrest warrant

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began a four-day visit to Hungary on Thursday, openly defying an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued last November over alleged war crimes in Gaza. The visit, which includes a high-level meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, underscores Israel’s rejection of the ICC’s authority and highlights growing international polarization over the war in Gaza.

Hungary, a founding member of the ICC, is technically obliged to arrest individuals under ICC warrants. However, Orban made it clear that Hungary will not enforce the arrest order, calling the ICC’s decision “brazen, cynical and completely unacceptable.” Preparations for Netanyahu’s arrival included military honors in Budapest’s historic Buda Castle and tight security around his accommodations.

This marks Netanyahu’s second international trip since the ICC issued warrants against him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. His previous visit was to Washington in February to meet U.S. President Donald Trump another vocal opponent of the ICC. Neither Israel nor the United States are members of the court, which both countries accuse of politicized legal activism.

The visit comes at a time of mounting pressure on Netanyahu at home, where he faces an investigation into alleged financial connections between Qatar and three of his top aides claims he has dismissed as “fake news.” A Qatari official has also denied the allegations, labeling them a smear campaign.

In addition to his political and legal challenges, Netanyahu’s Gaza strategy continues to draw global scrutiny. Following the Hamas-led October 7 massacre, in which 1,200 Israelis were murdered and 251 kidnapped, Israel launched a full-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip. Over 50,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, prompting South Africa to initiate a genocide case against Israel in the International Court of Justice.

Israel maintains that all accusations are politically motivated and driven by antisemitism. It asserts the campaign in Gaza is a justified act of self-defense against Hamas, a U.S.- and EU-designated terrorist organization. The ICC’s move to indict Israel’s democratically elected leadership, Israeli officials argue, undermines its own legitimacy.

While in Hungary, Netanyahu is also scheduled to visit a Holocaust memorial a symbolic moment amid his broader diplomatic message: that Israel will not be isolated or intimidated in its war against terror.

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