Hungary’s prime minister-elect Peter Magyar said Monday that his government would be obligated to detain Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu if he enters Hungarian territory while subject to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, according to Politico.
The ICC issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Countries that are members of the court are generally required to arrest individuals named in such warrants if they enter their jurisdiction.
Hungary, under outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban, strongly rejected the warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant and later declared its intention to withdraw from the ICC.
Despite the active warrant, Netanyahu was given a high-profile reception by Orban during a visit to Hungary in April 2025. That move prompted the ICC to formally refer Hungary to its oversight body for failing to carry out the arrest.
Magyar has since said he intends to reverse course and stop Hungary’s withdrawal from the ICC by June 2, marking one year since the country formally notified the UN Secretary-General of its plan to leave the court.
When asked Monday about Netanyahu’s expected visit later this year, which he has already agreed to, Magyar said, “I made this clear to the Israeli prime minister as well … it is the Tisza government’s firm intention to stop this and ensure that Hungary remains a member of the ICC.”
He added, “If a country is a member of the ICC and a person who is wanted by the ICC enters our territory, then that person must be taken into custody.”
European governments have taken varying positions on how to respond to the ICC warrants. Some maintain that it is possible to remain within the court while not enforcing such orders.
France has argued that Netanyahu enjoys immunity from ICC jurisdiction because Israel is not a signatory to the court’s founding treaty. Italy has similarly said that detaining Netanyahu would not be practical while he continues to serve as Israel’s prime minister.
Germany’s then-chancellor Olaf Scholz said in April 2025 that he could not envision Germany arresting Netanyahu. His successor, Friedrich Merz, later signaled openness to allowing Netanyahu to visit, stating, “Fundamentally, an Israeli prime minister must be able to travel to Germany.”
The Netherlands has also indicated that there may be legal avenues to allow Netanyahu to enter the country without being detained, despite the ICC warrant.
{Matzav.com}