Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest on Thursday. Bloomberg
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest on Thursday. Bloomberg
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest on Thursday. Bloomberg
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest on Thursday. Bloomberg

Netanyahu's visit to Hungary despite ICC arrest warrant exploits EU divisions


Sunniva Rose
  • English
  • Arabic

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Hungary early Thursday in response to a controversial invitation from his counterpart Viktor Orban.

Hungary became the first member of the EU to openly defy an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for crimes against humanity against Mr Netanyahu, which Hungary condemned as "shameful". It is in line with Mr Orban's challenges to the EU's commitment to international law and democratic principles.

The five-day visit, scheduled to begin on April 2, has been described by Amnesty International as “a cynical effort to undermine the ICC and its work”.

“Any trip [Mr Netanyahu] takes to an ICC member state that does not end in his arrest would embolden Israel to commit further crimes against Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories,” the human rights campaign group said.

Netanyahu's visit to Hungary is yet another attack on multilateral rules-based order, and international law and justice
A European diplomat

But it also highlights the ambivalent position taken by many European countries towards the ICC and its work.

“It's a very clear case of double standards. The EU is one of the most principled actors when it comes to international law globally but that fails when it comes to Israel and Palestine,” Hussein Baoumi, foreign policy advocacy officer at Amnesty International's European institutions office in Brussels, told The National.

Moral clarity

The Hungarian invitation was extended in a letter sent in November last year, shortly after the ICC charged the 75-year old Israeli leader with war crimes in the Gaza Strip, including using starvation as a method of warfare and crimes against humanity such as murder.

At the time, Mr Netanyahu thanked Mr Orban for his “moral clarity and steadfastness on the side of justice and the truth”. In an interview, the Hungarian leader said that he had "no other choice" than to reject the ICC decision, which he described as "wrong". "We have to confront this decision, and so later today I will invite the Prime Minister of Israeli, Mr Netanyahu, to visit Hungary," he said.

Hungary signed the Rome Statute, the international treaty that created the ICC, in 1999, and ratified it two years later during Mr Orban's first term in office. But Budapest has not promulgated the associated convention for reasons of constitutionality and therefore asserts it does not have to comply with ICC decisions.

While the Hungarian invitation to Mr Netanyahu was prompted by the ICC arrest warrant, the two leaders will also be discussing US President Donald Trump's plans for Gaza, Israeli media has reported. Mr Netanyahu in February visited the US, which has not signed the Rome Statute and has issued sanctions against the ICC for targeting the Israeli Prime Minister.

Mr Trump's plan includes pushing out Palestinians from the enclave and building a Mediterranean resort instead – a breach of international law that was rejected by most Arab states. This also goes against the EU's long-standing position of supporting a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict.

Palestinians receive bags of flour and other humanitarian aid distributed by the UN in the Gaza Strip. AP
Palestinians receive bags of flour and other humanitarian aid distributed by the UN in the Gaza Strip. AP

Hungary is widely viewed as an outlier at EU level because of its relationship with Russia and repeated veto of decisions in support of Ukraine that require unanimous backing from the bloc's 27 states.

This refusal came after the European Commission in 2022 blocked about €22 billion ($23.75 billion) in funds to Hungary amid concerns over rule-of-law offences, including undermining the independence of the judiciary, before unfreezing about half of that sum last year.

Mr Orban, who has campaigned with hostile billboards against EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, is considered by many in Brussels as the troublesome leader of Europe's authoritarian far-right.

On Monday, Mr Orban was among the first international leaders to show his support for popular French far-right leader Marine Le Pen after a court in Paris found her guilty of embezzling hundreds of thousands of euros in European Parliament funds, in effect stopping her from running in the 2027 presidential race.

Wake-up call

In European circles, frustration with Hungary is so intense that Germany is reported to be working on a proposal to scrap the need for consensus on sanctions – such as those imposed upon Russia – in an effort to bypass Mr Orban's resistance.

The incoming German government has also agreed to suggest to the EU to withhold funds and suspend voting rights from countries that defy the rule of law. While Hungary is not named, it is the obvious target of the proposal, Politico reported on Monday.

Yet when it comes to denouncing human rights violations against Palestinians, most EU heavyweights appear to join ranks with Hungary in their rejection of the implementation of the ICC's arrest warrant.

“This should really be a wake-up call,” Amnesty's Mr Baoumi said.

Germany's incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he would find “ways and means” to invite Mr Netanyahu without being arrested. In an apparent effort to remain involved in ceasefire talks in Lebanon by not alienating Mr Netanyahu, France's Foreign Ministry has argued that heads of state from countries that have not ratified the Rome Statute cannot be arrested.

A billboard showing European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Alexander Soros, son of Hungarian-US billionaire George Soros, with the slogan 'Let's not dance to their tunes! National consultation' in Budapest. AFP
A billboard showing European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Alexander Soros, son of Hungarian-US billionaire George Soros, with the slogan 'Let's not dance to their tunes! National consultation' in Budapest. AFP

This appeared to contradict statements issued by France calling on Mongolia to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin during a visit in September. Mr Putin is also the subject of an ICC arrest warrant. Russia withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2016.

Not everyone in Europe thinks Mr Netanyahu should freely visit the continent. The EU is divided on the Middle East and a number of countries demonstrably pro-Palestine such as Spain and Ireland have also indicated they would arrest him.

One European diplomat described Mr Netanyahu's visit to Hungary as “extremely worrying, and yet another attack on multilateral rules-based order, and international law and justice”.

Overall, the EU has remained a strong ally of Israel despite mounting criticism of its conduct in Gaza and Lebanon. The bloc has rejected the idea put forward by some capitals to review its free trade agreement with Israel on human rights grounds. This would be akin to sanctioning Israel, for whom the EU is the most important trading partner.

When questioned about Mr Netanyahu's visit to Hungary, the EU Commission, the bloc's executive arm, has reiterated its support for the ICC without specifically calling for his arrest.

On Monday, a representative said that the EU “respects the court’s independence and impartiality and we are strongly committed to international criminal justice and the fight against impunity”.

They recalled 2023 EU council conclusions calling upon all states to ensure full co-operation with the court, including by the prompt execution of outstanding arrest warrants.

Some countries have avoided the awkward decision on Mr Netanyahu's freedom of movement by sending ministers and envoys to Israel.

During a visit to Jerusalem on Sunday, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was welcomed by Mr Netanyahu with these words: “From one democracy in the Eastern Mediterranean to another democracy in the Eastern Mediterranean, welcome, friend.”

'Worse than a prison sentence'

Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.

“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.

“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.

“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.

“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.

“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”

SHADOWS%20AND%20LIGHT%3A%20THE%20EXTRAORDINARY%20LIFE%20OF%20JAMES%20MCBEY
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The biog

Name: Abeer Al Shahi

Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan

Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.

Favourite activities: Bungee jumping

Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.

KINGDOM%20OF%20THE%20PLANET%20OF%20THE%20APES
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wes%20Ball%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Owen%20Teague%2C%20Freya%20Allen%2C%20Kevin%20Durand%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

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“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”

Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
 

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Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ahmed Raza

UAE cricket captain

Age: 31

Born: Sharjah

Role: Left-arm spinner

One-day internationals: 31 matches, 35 wickets, average 31.4, economy rate 3.95

T20 internationals: 41 matches, 29 wickets, average 30.3, economy rate 6.28

6 UNDERGROUND

Director: Michael Bay

Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Adria Arjona, Dave Franco

2.5 / 5 stars

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Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment

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  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

The specs: 2018 Maxus T60

Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000

Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder

Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm

Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm

Transmission: Five-speed manual

Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km

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The biog

Favourite hobby: taking his rescue dog, Sally, for long walks.

Favourite book: anything by Stephen King, although he said the films rarely match the quality of the books

Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption stands out as his favourite movie, a classic King novella

Favourite music: “I have a wide and varied music taste, so it would be unfair to pick a single song from blues to rock as a favourite"

'Munich: The Edge of War'

Director: Christian Schwochow

Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons

Rating: 3/5

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Engine: 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder turbo

Gearbox: 7-speed automatic

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Torque: 350Nm

Fuel economy, combined: 6.0 l/100 km

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Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

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The specs: 2017 Dodge Viper SRT

Price, base / as tested Dh460,000

Engine 8.4L V10

Transmission Six-speed manual

Power 645hp @ 6,200rpm

Torque 813Nm @ 5,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 16.8L / 100km

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The lowdown

Rating: 4/5

Updated: April 03, 2025, 10:16 AM`