Netanyahu Visits Hungary, Defying ICC Arrest Warrant

Netanyahu's Defiant Visit to Hungary

• 🇮🇱 Benjamin Netanyahu is visiting Hungary, marking his first trip to the European Union since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against him.
• ⚖️ The Israeli Prime Minister is wanted by the ICC for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.

Hungary's Support for Netanyahu

• 🇭🇺 Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban extended the invitation to Netanyahu in November, explicitly stating Hungary's defiance of the ICC ruling.
• 🤝 Orban assured that the ICC's decision would have "no effect in Hungary" and that they would "not follow its terms."
• 🤝 Despite being a signatory to the ICC, Hungary is formally obliged to take Netanyahu into custody but is expected to welcome him warmly.

Long-Standing Ties and Unconditional Support

• 🤝 This is not the first instance of Hungary prioritizing its friendship with Israel, as seen in 2017 when Netanyahu supported Orban against accusations of anti-semitism.
• 🇵🇸 In July last year, Budapest vetoed an EU statement that condemned the Knesset's rejection of a Palestinian state.
• 💥 The Hungarian leader has offered unconditional support for Israel's offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in over 50,000 casualties according to Gaza authorities.