Prime Minister Viktor Orban said today that he would invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Hungary, saying he would guarantee that the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Netanyahu “will not be implemented.”
The International Criminal Court (ICC) yesterday, Thursday, issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Israel’s former defense minister, as well as against Hamas leader Ibrahim al-Masri, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during conflict in Gaza.
Orban, whose country holds the European Union presidency during the current semester, told state radio that the ICC arrest warrant was “a mistake” and added that the Israeli leader would be able to hold negotiations in Hungary “with appropriate security.”
“Today I will invite the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Netanyahu, for a visit to Hungary and in this invitation I will guarantee him that, if he comes, the decision of the ICC will have no effect in Hungary and we will not implement it,” Orban said.
Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu had visited Orban in 2017
After Orban and his nationalist party, Fidesz, came to power in 2010, he and Netanyahu restored close political relations. Netanyahu visited Budapest in 2017.
Israeli leaders and the White House condemned the ICC ruling, while EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the warrants were not political and that all EU member states should respect and implement the court’s ruling.
Within the EU, Hungary and the Czech Republic are strong supporters of Israel, while countries such as Spain and Ireland underline their support for the Palestinians.
The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reacting to the ICC decision, stated that Prague will respect its international legal obligations.
However, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala described the ICC decision as “unfortunate”, writing late yesterday, Thursday night in X: “The court’s move undermines its authority in other cases as it equates the elected representatives of a democratic state with the leaders of a Islamist terrorist organization”.
The unfortunate decision of the ICC undermines its authority in other cases when it equates the elected representatives of a democratic state with the leaders of an Islamist terrorist organization.
— Petr Fiala (@P_Fiala) November 21, 2024
Source: RES-MPE
#Viktor #Orban #Wrong #arrest #warrant #Netanyahu #implement
**Given Hungary’s historical relationship with both Israel and the ICC, what underlying political and economic motivations might be influencing their defiant stance on the arrest warrant?** (This question encourages analysis of contextual factors beyond the immediate news event.)
## World Today News Exclusive Interview: The ICC Warrant for Netanyahu and Hungary’s Response
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we delve into the recent International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, exploring the ramifications and the controversial response from Hungary. Joining us are two distinguished guests:
* **Dr. Sarah Miller:** Professor of International Law at the University of Oxford, specializing in International Criminal Justice.
* **Mr. David Cohen:** Senior Analyst at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, focusing on Middle Eastern politics and diplomacy.
**Section 1: Understanding the ICC Warrant**
**Host:** Dr. Miller, the ICC issued warrants for both Netanyahu and Hamas leader Ibrahim al-Masri. Can you clarify the specific war crimes and crimes against humanity they are accused of? What are the legal grounds for these charges?
**Dr. Miller:** …
**Host:** This decision has been met with strong reactions from various parties. Mr. Cohen, how does the Israeli government view this warrant? What are their primary arguments against it?
**Mr. Cohen:** …
**Section 2: Hungary’s Defiance**
**Host:** Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has publicly denounced the ICC warrant, even going so far as to offer Netanyahu a guaranteed safe haven in Hungary. Dr. Miller, is this justifiable under international law? What implications does this have for Hungary’s relationship with the ICC and the broader international community?
**Dr. Miller:** …
**Host:** Mr. Cohen, how do you see this move by Orban impacting the already complex relationship between Israel and Europe?
**Mr. Cohen:** …
**Section 3: The Broader Implications**
**Host:** This case raises broader questions about the role of the ICC, its jurisdiction, and its relationship with powerful nation-states. Dr. Miller, how do you see this case shaping future ICC investigations and prosecutions?
**Dr. Miller:** …
**Host:** Mr. Cohen, what are the potential long-term consequences of this decision for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
**Mr. Cohen:** …
**Section 4: Looking Ahead**
**Host:** this is a complex and highly sensitive situation with far-reaching implications. Both Dr. Miller and Mr. Cohen, what are your thoughts on potential paths forward? Can we expect any immediate diplomatic solutions, or will this case likely continue to escalate tensions?
**Dr. Miller:** …
**Mr. Cohen:** …
**Host:** Thank you both for sharing your insights on this important issue.
This framework provides:
* **Open-ended questions:** Encouraging detailed discussion and diverse perspectives.
* **Thematic sections:** Structuring the conversation for clarity and audience comprehension.
* **Engagement:** Aiming to spark a balanced and informative discussion on a multifaceted topic.
