Israeli PM Netanyahu visits Hungary despite International Court's arrest order

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Hungary, defying an arrest warrant issued by the Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC had charged Netanyahu with war crimes related to Israel military action in Gaza.

Netanyahu's visit is controversial as Hungary is a member of the ICC, which theoretically obliges it to arrest those against whom warrants have been issued by the court. He is on a four-day visit to Hungary.

However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban clearly indicated that Hungary will not accept the ICC ruling. He invited Netanyahu to visit Hungary even after the arrest warrant.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in November last year. They were accused of Gaza war crimes committed by Israel that came in retaliation against the October 7 attacks by Hamas militants.

More than 50,000 Palestinians have died so far because of the continuous war.

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Meanwhile, Israel has denounced all the accusations levelled against it by the ICC as politically motivated. According to Israel, the nation is only exercising its right to defend itself and has alleged that the ICC has undermined its credibility by issuing arrest warrants for a democratically elected president.

Orban too has supported Israel's move, terming the ICC's action of issuing the warrants "brazen, cynical, and totally unacceptable."

Netanyahu's visit amidst controversy

Netanyahu's visit to Hungary marks his second overseas visit since the ICC issued the warrants. He went to the United States first, where he held a meeting with President Donald Trump. Israel and the United States are both non-members of the ICC and have denounced the court over what they say may be political motivations.

In Hungary, high-level security has been deployed around the central Budapest hotel where Netanyahu is residing. Netanyahu will meet with Orban before giving a press conference.

Netanyahu will also visit a Holocaust memorial.