Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel visited Hungary, where an arrest warrant had been issued against him by the International Criminal Court in November. Hungary, which recognizes the court’s jurisdiction, indicated that it would not act on the arrest warrant. The Hungarian government under Prime Minister Viktor Orban has made it clear that they will not follow the terms of the court’s ruling and welcomed Netanyahu to the country. Hungary has been criticized for its use of antisemitic imagery in its propaganda, but Orban has expressed support for Israel and sees Netanyahu as a kindred spirit.
The International Criminal Court had issued the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. This move has negatively impacted Israel’s global standing, but Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary is seen as an opportunity for him to project strength abroad and statesmanship at home. Despite criticism from Amnesty International, Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary serves as a signal that he remains unaffected by the court’s actions and retains his international stature despite growing domestic opposition in Israel.
Orban, who faces domestic issues and isolation within the EU, has welcomed Netanyahu to Hungary in defiance of the international court. By doing so, he hopes to gain visibility on the international stage and attract attention from Washington. President Trump has shown an interest in Orban in the past, but Hungary has faced challenges such as high inflation rates and a surging opposition movement. Both Netanyahu and Orban have criticized judicial overreach, with Orban indicating that Hungary may consider withdrawing from the International Criminal Court.
President Trump signed an executive order placing sanctions on the international court in February, highlighting his disdain for its investigations that could threaten U.S. and Israeli national security. Netanyahu has condemned the charges against him in Israel as a political effort to undermine him, while Orban has denounced what he perceives as judicial activism in Europe. Hungary ratified the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court in 2001 but has not incorporated its terms into domestic law, allowing the country to potentially disregard the court’s rulings.
Overall, Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary signifies his attempt to showcase strength and international stature in the face of domestic challenges. Orban’s decision to welcome Netanyahu despite criticism from human rights organizations reflects his desire to gain visibility on the global stage and attract attention from Washington. The issue of the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court underscores the complexities of international relations and the challenges posed by judicial activism in various countries.
