Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit Hungary, despite an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant over alleged war crimes in Gaza. The visit, scheduled for four days, comes as Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban openly vowed not to enforce the ICC ruling, allowing Netanyahu to travel freely.
Hungary Refuses to Enforce ICC Warrant
As a founding ICC member, Hungary is legally required to arrest individuals with an active warrant. However, Orban dismissed this obligation, calling the ICC’s ruling “brazen, cynical, and completely unacceptable.”
Netanyahu, facing growing domestic and international scrutiny, will meet Orban in Budapest before attending a press conference. His agenda includes strengthening ties with Hungary, countering Iran, and pushing for the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Political and Legal Challenges
Netanyahu’s visit comes amid a political crisis at home. He faces investigations into alleged ties between Qatar and three of his aides, accusations he has dismissed as “fake news.” Qatar also rejected the claims, labeling them part of a “smear campaign.”
This is only Netanyahu’s second foreign trip since the ICC issued warrants for him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November. His first visit was to Washington in February, where he met former U.S. President Donald Trump. Both Israel and the U.S. reject the ICC’s authority, arguing the court is being used for political persecution.
Gaza War and Global Outrage
The ICC warrant follows Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, launched after a Hamas-led attack killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. Since then, Israeli airstrikes have killed over 50,000 Palestinians and displaced hundreds of thousands. The destruction has sparked global protests and a separate genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), initiated by South Africa.
Israel rejects all allegations, insisting its actions are self-defense against Hamas. Netanyahu and his allies argue the ICC has lost credibility by targeting a democratically elected leader fighting terrorism.
Read: Israeli Airstrike Kills Four, Including Hezbollah Official in Beirut
Tight Security in Budapest
Security has been heightened in Budapest ahead of Netanyahu’s arrival. Military honors have been planned at Buda Castle, and a stage was being constructed on Wednesday. He is also expected to visit a Holocaust memorial.
ICC Stands Firm
The ICC maintains that all member states must comply with its rulings, emphasizing that individual nations cannot decide the legitimacy of its judgments. However, with Hungary openly defying the order, Netanyahu’s visit signals a growing divide between ICC obligations and political alliances.
As the Israeli leader continues his diplomatic efforts, his trip to Hungary underscores the ongoing international controversy over Israel’s actions in Gaza and the enforcement of global justice.
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