Hungary’s incoming prime minister, Peter Magyar, has warned that he will order the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he enters the country. This is a sharp reversal of predecessor Viktor Orban’s policy.
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Before leaving, Orban initiated Hungary’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC). While speaking at a press conference on Monday, Magyar said he would halt this action. As a member, Budapest would be legally responsible for enforcing arrest warrants.
The ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. –RT
“I made it clear to the Israeli prime minister that we are not stepping back [from the ICC]. It is the Tisza government’s intention to stop this and for Hungary to remain a member,” Magyar said. “So I think I didn’t mislead anyone. If a country is a member of the ICC and if a person who is wanted enters that country’s territory, they must be taken into custody… I assume that every state and government leader is aware of these regulations.”
Earlier this week, Israel said that Magyar had spoken with Netanyahu and invited him to visit Hungary after his Tisza party’s landslide win on April 12th. Magyar confirmed that the call took place, but he downplayed the invitation, saying that he had spoken with multiple leaders and broadly invited them to attend an upcoming anniversary of the 1956 popular uprising. He added that Netanyahu was informed Hungary would seek to remain in the ICC, which implies that his ruling class would follow through with the arrest.
Orban dismissed the warrant as “brazen and cynical.” The previous ruling class, including Orban, has ensured Netanyahu’s safe passage; however, Magyar’s decision marks a sharp reversal in policy for Hungary.
At Monday’s press conference, Magyar also urged Kiev to reopen the Russian Druzhba pipeline and said Hungary would not accept “any kind of blackmail” over energy supplies.