Netanyahu arrives in Hungary in defiance of ICC arrest warrant
The Hungarian leader vowed the EU member would not execute the warrant, despite being an ICC member, saying the court's decision "intervenes in an ongoing conflict... for political purposes".
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (AFP/File)
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Hungary on Thursday, the Hungarian defence minister said, in defiance of the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s arrest warrant against him over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
"Welcome to Budapest, Benjamin Netanyahu!" wrote Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky on Facebook as Netanyahu began a visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
The minister greeted Netanyahu upon arrival at the airport in the Hungarian capital shortly after 02:30 am (0030 GMT) local time.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plane is seen on the tarmac at Liszt Ferenc International Airport in Budapest on April 3, 2025. (AFP Photo)
The Israeli leader was due to hold talks with Orban and a joint news conference is expected around 12:30 pm (1030 GMT).
Orban extended an invitation to Netanyahu last November, a day after the ICC issued its warrant.
The Hungarian leader vowed the EU member would not execute the warrant, despite being an ICC member, saying the court's decision "intervenes in an ongoing conflict... for political purposes".
The ICC, based in The Hague, stressed it would be Hungary's "legal obligation" and "responsibility towards other state parties" to enforce the court's decisions.