Budapest will today signal that regardless of Brussels’ criticism of the fight against Hamas, Israel does have friends in Europe.
In order to welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, Viktor Orbán must defy the arrest warrant issued last year by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Indeed, some reports say Hungary is prepared to leave the ICC altogether.
Orbán will also be standing up to European Union bosses who have explicitly told him to arrest Netanyahu in the event of a visit to Hungary. A Commission spokesman said on Monday that all bloc members should ensure “full cooperation with the courts including by the prompt execution of outstanding arrest warrants,” adding:
The EU supports the International Criminal Court.
The Hungarian PM extended an invitation to Netanyahu after the ICC issued its warrant in November last year, attacking the body for “interfering in an ongoing conflict for political purposes.” Věra Jourová, then the Commission Vice President for Values and Transparency, hit back, insisting that “responsible politicians are aware of their international commitments.”
Brussels is likely to pipe up again when images emerge later today of Orbán welcoming Netanyahu. But it was noticeably less vocal when Germany’s likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz said in February the Israeli leader could visit Germany without fearing arrest.
The Hind Rajab Foundation, a Brussels-based non-profit, also announced on Tuesday it was launching “urgent legal actions” to counter the visit, even calling on European airspace authorities to deny Netanyahu passage.
Criticism of the planned visit also came from the European Greens and, further afield, Amnesty International.
The visit is due to run until Sunday and will involve meetings with Orbán and other senior Hungarian officials.
