Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanjahu, close ally and friend of the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, arrived in Budapest on Thursday. Hungary has already announced that they do not accept an arrest warrant issued by Netanyahu International Criminal Court (ICT), and on the day of his visit they announced their decision to resign from that tribunal.
"The safest place in Europe" — Orban welcomes Netanjahu
"Prime Minister Netanjahu in Budapest, the safest place in Europe" Viktor Orbán wrote on his social media, welcoming the Israeli leader. The Hungarian Prime Minister has stressed for years that his country is safest place for Jews in Europe. Following the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas, Hungarian police consistently forbid pro-Palestinian demonstrationsand in Orbána's hometown, Felcsút, the elimination matches to Euro 2024 were held in November 2023 with the participation of the Israeli team.
Netanjah's second abroad visit after an arrest warrant
For Netanjah it is Second authoritative journey abroad Since the ICC issued a warrant for his arrest in November 2024 in connection with war activities in Gaza Strip. In February 2025, the Israeli Prime Minister visited USAwhere it was adopted by Donald Trump The White House.
Hungary – Israel's most faithful ally in the EU
Hungary has maintained for years close relations with Israeland Orbán and Netanjahu join Friendship. After the Hamas attack in 2023 Hungary became the most pro-Israeli voice in the European Union, utilizing even your own EU Council Presidency in the second half of 2024.
Cooperation between the 2 countries besides includes Military sector. Hungary purchased from Israel multitasking ELTA ELM-2084 radarswhich enable the detection and tracking of air and artillery targets.
Will Hungary decision the embassy to Jerusalem?
In the past, the media reported that Hungary could be first EU countryWho will decision his embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Although this decision has not been taken so far, the Israeli press speculates that this subject may be raised during the current talks between Orbán and Netanjah.
Hungary leaves the ICC in protest of decisions against Israel
Netanjah's invitation to Hungary was open objection to the ICC decision. The day the Israeli Prime Minister arrived Gergely Gullyás, the head of the Hungarian Prime Minister's office, announced that the country will address the global Criminal Court.
The Hungarian government already in mid-2024 considered this step in consequence to the request of the ICC prosecutor, who demanded the arrest of Netanyahu and the Israeli defence minister on 20 May Joawa Galanta.
Although Hungary is simply a signatory Rome Statute, by which the ICC was established, the Budapest Government argues that this paper not declared in the countrybecause it was considered to be non-constitutional. On the same basis, Hungary announced that it would not have stopped either Vladimir Putinwhich is besides pursued by the ICC.
EU response: Hungary's exit from the ICC will last at least 1 year
Spokeswoman European Commission, Anitta Hipper, recalled on Wednesday that Hungary's formal withdrawal from the ICC will take at least 12 monthsand until then, the country is obliged to comply with the decision of the tribunal.
Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Hungary will proceed until Sunday, strengthening the alliance between Budapest and Jerusalem.
Read more:
Netanyahu in Hungary: A safe haven for an Israeli criminal in Europe
