Peoples Dispatch / April 2, 2025
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, wanted by the ICC for war crimes, is set to begin an official visit to Hungary.
Benjamin Netanyahu, wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, is set to begin an official four-day visit to Hungary at the invitation of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. This marks his first trip to Europe since the ICC issued a warrant for his arrest in late 2024. Activists and watchdog organizations have warned that if Hungary welcomes Netanyahu and ignores its international obligations, it will further stain Europe’s record on the genocide in Gaza.
Some right-wing analysts have argued that the country is not bound to arrest Netanyahu, claiming the Rome Statute – which outlines such duties – has not been fully transposed into domestic law. However, international networks, including the Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights and the BDS campaign, have presented arguments to the contrary. “Failure to do so [arrest Benjamin Netanyahu] would represent a serious violation of Hungary’s obligations under the Rome Statute and send a clear message that alleged war criminals are welcome within the European Union,” Al-Mezan stated.
Hungarian authorities have maintained close ties to the Israeli government throughout the Gaza genocide. Since Donald Trump’s return to the United States presidency, Orbán has praised his decision to sanction ICC officials over the arrest warrants. Following that move, Hungarian ministers claimed they would support revising Hungary’s participation in the ICC. Though not yet confirmed through official channels, some diplomatic sources claim that a decision to withdraw from the international body had been made ahead of Netanyahu’s visit.
Support from Budapest to Brussels
Yet the Hungarian government is not the only one to maintain cozy relations with Israeli occupation authorities. European leaders who have criticized Orbán in the past have remained remarkably silent about this visit. This is far from surprising: countries such as Romania, Poland, Italy, and France have also indicated they would not act on the ICC warrant should Netanyahu travel to their territory. German politicians have suggested they would avoid upholding the warrant as well. Finally, in March alone, several EU and national officials met with Netanyahu to, as they described it, maintain and expand “partnerships”.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, called Israel a “very good partner” during her visit, prompting strong backlash from left and progressive parties. “What very good partners? In crime? In genocide? In ethnic cleansing?” asked Belgian MEP Marc Botenga. “These words are a shame for the EU. They should never be uttered again.”
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) similarly condemned Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ March 30 visit to Jerusalem, where he met with Netanyahu to discuss deepening economic relations and “defense cooperation.” KKE’s Dimitris Koutsoumbas said the visit is an insult to the Greek people, who have mobilized in solidarity with Palestinians for months. “The stepping up of military cooperation with the murderous state of Israel poses great dangers for the peoples of the entire region and signals the further involvement of our country in imperialist war plans,” Koutsoumbas stated.
Europe’s inaction is betrayal, not neutrality
Groups including Al-Mezan warn that Europe’s normalization of relations with Israel is deeply troubling and undermines the foundations of international law. “Europe cannot credibly claim to uphold human rights and the rule of law while continuing to welcome and engage with individuals accused of committing atrocity crimes,” the organization stated. Others have called Europe’s conduct in this context cowardly and complicit, noting it threatens to further erode whatever standing the region might still have in the world.
“Benjamin Netanyahu is not an ordinary head of state,” the Hind Rajab Foundation said. “Hosting him – or allowing his aircraft to pass through national airspace – signals not neutrality, but betrayal. A betrayal of international justice, of the ICC’s authority, and of every victim who has suffered under his command.”
