Orbán Aid says Netanyahu will visit Hungary, despite the international arrest warrant

Budapest, Hungary (AP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit Hungary in the following weeks, a Hungarian minister said on Thursday, despite a International arrest warrant for the Israeli leader Over the war in the Gaza strip.

The head of the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, Guergely Gulyás, said in a press conference in Budapest that Netanyahu will probably visit Hungary before Easter, which falls on April 20.

Orbán, a right-wing and ally Netanyahu populist, has previously promised not to take into account the mandate of the International Criminal Court against the Israeli leader, accusing the World War Crime Court, based in “Hague to interfere in a continuous conflict for political purposes.”

ICC member countries, such as Hungary, must retain suspects who face a mandate if they set foot on their ground, but the court has no way to apply this. Several European countries that are members of the court have stated that they will apply the mandate if Netanyahu enters their territory.

ICC issued the arrest warrant in November for Netanyahu, as well as for his former Minister of Defense and the military chief of Hamas, accusing them of crimes against humanity In connection with the war in Gaza.

The guarantees said that there are reasons to believe that Netanyahu and the former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, used “starving as a method of war” by restricting humanitarian aid and intentionally targeted civilians in the Israel’s campaign against Gaza – accuses Israeli officials.

On Thursday, Gulyás said he would “support a lot” of Hungary withdrawing from the ICC, claiming that he “lost its meaning through political leadership instead of legal activities.” However, the Hungarian government has not made any decision in this regard, he added.

Neither Israel nor its tight ally, the United States are AA members or not recognize the ICC, the only permanent global court for war and genocide crimes.

Last month President Donald Trump signed an executive order that imposes sanctions to the court for the investigation of Israel. The order accused the ICC of engaging in “illegitimate and without foundation aiming aimed at America and our near Israel ally” and that it abused its power by issuing “arrest warrants” against Netanyahu and Gallant.