Hungary’s new Prime Minister Peter Magyar has issued a significant statement. He has warned that if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Hungary, he could face arrest. This is because the International Criminal Court (ICC) has already issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu.
According to a report by Sky News, Magyar has made it clear that if anyone under an ICC warrant enters Hungarian territory, they will be arrested. He also announced that Hungary will remain a member of the ICC and that the previous government’s decision to withdraw from the court will be revoked.
Magyar’s statement is particularly noteworthy in that he recently invited Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to visit Hungary. Clarifying this point, he explained that after his election victory, he invited leaders of various nations to attend the 70th anniversary of the 1956 uprising and Netanyahu’s invitation was issued in that context. He also noted that Netanyahu had previously been informed that Hungary would not deviate from ICC statutes and would uphold the rule of law. Indeed, in 2024, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, charging him with war crimes and crimes against humanity. This issue lies at the heart of the entire dispute. Hungary’s previous government, led by Viktor Orbán, had decided to withdraw from the ICC.
The decision was to take effect on 2 June 2026; however, the new prime minister, Magyar, has now announced that he will reverse the decision, ensuring that Hungary will remain a member of the ICC. In elections held in April, Magyar defeated Orbán, ending his 16-year term in office. During the election campaign, Magyar focused on issues such as corruption, healthcare, and concerns that directly affect ordinary people. In addition, he pledged to strengthen Hungary’s relations with the European Union (EU) and NATO. This makes it clear that Hungary’s new government is committed to respecting international law, even if it means taking action against key leaders.
