Hungary's New PM Pledges to Arrest Netanyahu, Israel Cornered in Europe
BUDAPEST – Hungary’s Prime Minister-elect Péter Magyar stated on Monday that his country must detain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he enters Hungarian territory as requested by the International Criminal Court (ICC). This stance contrasts sharply with that of his predecessor Viktor Orbán, a staunch ally of Netanyahu.
“If a country is a member of the ICC and the wanted individual enters our territory, he must be detained… Every country and head of government knows this law,” Magyar said, as reported by Politico on Tuesday.
Magyar’s statement highlights Israel’s loss of one of its strongest allies in the European Union. Hungary had previously frequently vetoed attempts by European countries to impose sanctions on Netanyahu.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024 over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. ICC member states are in principle obliged to detain individuals subject to such warrants.
Hungary had previously refused to arrest the Israeli leader when he visited Budapest in April 2025, with Netanyahu’s loyal ally Viktor Orbán serving as prime minister. Ahead of that meeting, Orbán announced Hungary’s withdrawal from the ICC, a process that takes one year to implement under the court’s statutes, thereby ensuring Netanyahu’s immunity.
However, Magyar has announced that he will halt the withdrawal from the ICC on 2 June, one year after Hungary officially notified the UN Secretary-General of its intent to withdraw. When asked by reporters about the implications for Netanyahu’s planned visit this autumn, Magyar reaffirmed his position.
“I have also explained this to the Israeli prime minister… this is the firm intention of the Tisza government to stop this and ensure that Hungary remains a member of the ICC.”
Hungary’s latest stance adds to the list of countries prepared to arrest Netanyahu. Previously, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Namibia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, and Switzerland have all explicitly stated that they will respect the arrest warrant if Netanyahu travels to those countries.
Meanwhile, some countries argue that they can remain ICC members without enforcing the warrant. France contends that arresting Netanyahu would violate other agreements with Israel.
Article 98 of the ICC statute supports France’s reasoning, stating that a state shall not “act inconsistently with its obligations under international law with respect to… the diplomatic immunity of an individual.”
Then-Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany stated in April 2025 that he could not imagine his country arresting Netanyahu. Italy has also granted immunity to the Israeli leader.