According to Orbán, the Israeli leader would not be arrested in Hungary, even though the country is a member of the ICC.
Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán has announced on Friday that he will invite the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu for a visit to Hungary.
Orbán’s invitation follows the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) ruling on Netanyahu and his former defense minister on Thursday of Yoav Gallant issued by the international arrest warrant.
The ICC suspects Prime Minister Netanyahu and Gallant of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The ICC arrest warrant requires all ICC member states and states involved through international cooperation to cooperate in arresting and surrendering a person to the court.
Hungary is also a member of the ICC, and has accepted the rules of the International Criminal Court.
However, Orbán extended his invitation to Netanyahu in an interview with the country’s state media on Friday, and said he intended to ensure that the arrest warrant against the Israeli leader would not be enforced in Hungary.
Instead, Orbán described the ICC’s arrest warrant as “false,” and said the Israeli leader could hold talks in Hungary “under proper security.”
Hungary, led by Orbán, currently holds the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union. However, the country’s line regarding the ICC decision differs from that of the EU and other member states.
Head of EU foreign policy Josep Borrell stated on Thursday that the arrest warrants are not political and that all EU member states should respect them and, if necessary, implement the court’s decision.
Source: Reuters