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Jewish Breaking News

To Budapest or to Jail? Hungary’s New PM, Magyar, Has a Confusing Message to Netanyahu

Apr 20, 2026·3 min read

In an interesting diplomatic reversal, Hungary’s incoming prime minister, Péter Magyar, first created headlines by inviting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit, only to then publicly state he would have him arrested, should he enter the country.

Just days ago, Magyar held what was described as a warm introductory call with Netanyahu, during which he personally invited him to Budapest for an official visit later this year for the 70th anniversary of the 1956 revolution, signaling continued ties between the two countries. It should be noted that the current and outgoing PM Viktor Orban is extremely close to Netanyahu and has held excellent ties with Israel.

TOPSHOT – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban waves to supporters at the Balna centre in Budapest during Hungary’s general election on April 12, 2026. Nationalist Viktor Orban, who has ruled Hungary for 16 years, on April 12, 2026 conceded defeat to conservative Peter Magyar in parliamentary elections. (Photo by Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP via Getty Images)

Netanyahu accepted the invitation, with both sides expressing interest in maintaining strong relations despite Hungary’s political transition.

But then came the dramatic twist. Magyar announced that Hungary would rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC), a major policy reversal from the previous government, and made clear that his administration would enforce ICC arrest warrants, including one issued against Netanyahu.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a wreath-laying ceremony marking the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum in Jerusalem on April 14, 2026. Israel came to a standstill on April 14, as sirens sounded across the country in tribute to the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis during World War II. This year’s commemoration comes amid a fragile two-week ceasefire with Iran after a deadly war that began on February 28, when a joint US-Israeli air attack killed Iran’s supreme leader. (Photo by Ilia YEFIMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images)

In blunt remarks, Magyar said that if Netanyahu were to enter Hungary, he would be arrested, as the country would be legally obligated to comply. Under Magyar, Hungary appears to be pivoting back toward alignment with European institutions and international law. even if it puts it on a collision course with Israel.

BANGKOK, THAILAND – OCTOBER 04:A protester holds a sign calling for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a demonstration outside the Israeli Embassy on October 04, 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. The demonstration was held to mark the two year anniversary of the Israel-Hamas war, which began on October 7, 2023, and has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians while displacing most of Gaza’s population. Similar protests were held in cities around the world calling for an end to the war and increased international pressure on Israel. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)

Netanyahu’s travel options in Europe were already limited due to the ICC warrant, but Hungary had been a rare safe haven.

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