Hungary's Orban snubs ICC arrest warrant with Netanyahu invite

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó also criticized the ICC’s warrant as “absurd.”

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF NOVEMBER 22, 2024 17:16

Prime Minister Viktor Orban shakes hands with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during joint statements at the Prime Minister’s Office. (photo credit: DEBBIE HILL / POOL / AFP)

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced on Friday that he would invite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit the European nation despite the International Criminal Court issuing an arrest warrant against Netanyahu and a former minister on Thursday, international media reported. 

Orban, in a conversation on state radio, accused the ICC of “interfering in an ongoing conflict for political purposes.” He added that the warrant would likely further inflame tensions. 

“We will defy this decision, and it will have no consequences for him,” Orbán said.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó also criticized the ICC’s warrant as “absurd,” according to the Associated Press.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in public address after ICC rules arrest warrant against him on November 21, 2024 (credit: SCREENSHOT/PMO)

European nations react to warrant

Despite Hungary's willingness to accept Netanyahu, Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell stressed on Thursday that the ICC ruling applied to all state members of the European Union.

"I take note of the decision of the @IntlCrimCourt to issue arrest warrants for Israel PM Netanyahu, former Minister Gallant, and Hamas leader Deif," he wrote. "These decisions are binding on all States party to the Rome Statute, which includes all EU Member States."

I take note of the decision of the @IntlCrimCourt to issue arrest warrants for Israel PM Netanyahu, former Minister Gallant, and Hamas leader Deif. These decisions are binding on all States party to the Rome Statute, which includes all EU Member States.

— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) November 21, 2024

A number of EU nations have already expressed that they would comply with the warrant.