Hungary affirms ICC warrant obligation ahead of Netanyahu’s visit

Prime Minister-elect Péter Magyar has affirmed Hungary’s allegiance to the International Criminal Court (ICC) ahead of a planned visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In November 2024, the ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The ICC has asked the 125 member states to arrest Netanyahu and Gallant, accusing them of using starvation as a method of warfare and intentional attacks against civilians in Gaza.

Speaking on Monday, Magyar declared the “firm intention” of the Tisza government to ensure that Hungary remains a member of the ICC.

“If a person who is wanted by the ICC enters our territory, then that person must be taken into custody,” Magyar told reporters.

The leader announced that he will halt Hungary’s ICC exit by June 2, one year after a formal notification was sent to the U.N. secretary-general.

Hungary refused to arrest Netanyahu in Budapest in April 2025 when he was hosted by former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whom Magyar defeated last week.

Orbán​’s withdrawal of Hungary from the ICC provided Netanyahu immunity during that trip, but the process takes one year to take effect under the court’s statute.

During an introductory call last week, ​Magyar invited Netanyahu to participate in a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Hungarian Uprising.

Netanyahu, ​according to ​Israel​’s Ambassador to Hungary​ Maya Kadosh, accepted the invitation and invited Magyar to a government-to-government (G2G) meeting in Jerusalem.

The two leaders agreed that their respective foreign ministers would meet soon to discuss the continuation of the close ties between Israel and Hungary.​