Hungary Faces Pressure to Arrest Netanyahu Amid ICC Warrant
(Brussels) – Hungarian authorities should arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he enters Hungarian territory, Human Rights Watch said today. Netanyahu is expected to travel to Hungary on March 21, 2026, to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference Hungary according to reports. The visit comes shortly before Hungary’s national elections, scheduled for April 12.
ICC Arrest Warrant and Hungary’s Obligations
On November 21, 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, alongside then-Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, over alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in the Gaza Strip from at least October 8, 2023 as detailed by the ICC. Both Netanyahu and Gallant remain fugitives from justice before the ICC. ICC member countries are required to arrest them if they enter their territory.
“Despite its move to leave the ICC, Hungary is still a member country and is still obligated to arrest and surrender individuals wanted by the court,” said Alice Autin, international justice researcher at Human Rights Watch. “By flouting this obligation, for the second time in less than a year, Hungary would further entrench impunity for serious crimes in Palestine and once again betray victims who have been denied justice for far too long.”
Previous Non-Compliance and Withdrawal from the ICC
Netanyahu visited Hungary in April 2025, but Hungarian authorities did not arrest him. In July 2025, ICC judges found that Hungary failed to comply with its obligation to cooperate with the court and referred the finding to its oversight body, the Assembly of States Parties according to the ICC record. During its annual session in December, the Assembly noted the judicial finding but failed to seize more decisive action.
In April 2025, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced his government’s intention to withdraw from the ICC treaty, the Rome Statute. On June 2, Hungarian authorities formally notified the United Nations secretary-general of Hungary’s withdrawal, which will take effect on June 2, 2026 as reported by the BBC.
Escalating Regional Tensions
Netanyahu’s planned visit to Hungary is set to take place as Israel and the United States carry out airstrikes on Iran, and Iran responds with strikes on Israel and Gulf states. The Israeli military has also escalated attacks in Lebanon and ordered evacuations in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s suburbs, raising concerns about potential war crimes of forced displacement.
Human Rights Watch Concerns
Since October 2023, Israeli forces have been accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip. Restrictions on aid entering Gaza have caused critical shortages of essential supplies.
Call for Action
Human Rights Watch urges EU leadership and member states, along with other ICC member countries, to press Hungary to reverse its withdrawal from the court, publicly remind Hungary of its ongoing obligations as an ICC member, and urge Hungarian authorities to cooperate with the court by arresting Netanyahu. They also call for a strong condemnation of Hungary’s continued failure to cooperate with the court and a reaffirmation of commitment to execute all pending ICC warrants.
“Orbán’s government is about to roll out the red carpet again for Netanyahu, when it is obligated to arrest him,” Autin said. “Silence and persistent inaction from the EU risks sending a dangerous message of acquiescence as the Israeli government continues to be responsible for atrocities.”