 "Hungary on ‘side of justice and truth’: Netanyahu thanks Orbán for invite after ICC arrest warrant")
After Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban condemned the International Criminal Court’s “shameful” move against Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister on Friday thanked Orban for his “moral clarity” in inviting him to visit, despite an ICC arrest warrant.
“Faced with the shameful weakness of those who stood by the outrageous decision against the right of the State of Israel to defend itself, Hungary” is “standing by the side of justice and truth”, AFP quoted Netanyahu as saying in a statement the day after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him and his former defence minister.
Netanyahu’s office also published what they said was a letter from Orban sent on Friday.
“Hungary strongly condemns this disgraceful decision, which has no impact whatsoever on the Hungarian-Israeli alliance and friendship,” AFP quoted Orban as saying in the letter, adding that “Israel has every right to defend itself against any threat”.
The ICC on Thursday issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over allegations of crimes against humanity and war crimes during Israel’s military actions in Gaza, following the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas.
Hungary signed the Rome Statute in 1999 and ratified it in 2001, but has not adopted the related convention due to constitutional concerns. As a result, Budapest asserts it is not obligated to follow ICC rulings.
Currently holding the EU’s rotating presidency, Hungary sparked controversy earlier in its term when Orban visited Moscow in July to meet with President Vladimir Putin.
Orban is the only EU leader to maintain close relations with Putin after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Budapest also announced it would not arrest Putin, who is wanted by the ICC for war crimes related to the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.
With inputs from agencies
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