Photo courtesy of timesofisrael.com
Human Rights Watch has called on Hungarian authorities to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his planned visit to Budapest on March 21, citing an International Criminal Court warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Netanyahu is scheduled to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference Hungary weeks before the country’s April 12 elections.
HRW stressed that Hungary remains legally bound to cooperate with the ICC until its withdrawal from the Rome Statute takes effect in June 2026.
“By flouting this obligation, Hungary would further entrench impunity for serious crimes in Palestine and once again betray victims who have been denied justice for far too long,” said Alice Autin, HRW’s international justice researcher.
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024, accusing them of overseeing atrocities in Gaza since October 2023.
HRW said Israeli forces have committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, with aid restrictions leaving Gaza in critical humanitarian crisis.
Netanyahu previously visited Hungary in April 2025 without arrest, prompting ICC judges to rule Budapest in non-compliance.
HRW urged the EU and ICC member states to press Hungary to reverse its withdrawal and enforce the warrants.
“Orban’s government is about to roll out the red carpet again for Netanyahu, when it is obligated to arrest him,” Autin warned, adding that EU silence risks signaling acquiescence to ongoing atrocities. # (ZIA LUNA)
