Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Budapest, Hungary, seeking respite from the mounting challenges he faces at home and abroad. What to watch for As this visit hugely increases the diplomatic stature of Israel, it comes as Netanyahu does battle with an unprecedented international arrest warrant. The warrant, issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), stems from allegations of war crimes associated with the new conflict in Gaza.
As such, Netanyahu’s trip to Hungary becomes a strategic win. Securing it provides him the opportunity to act like a still-functional prime minister. The visit provides him with an opportunity to make a bold statement against the ICC. It demonstrates that he is still able to engage in presidential diplomacy, despite the stark prospect of the warrant hanging over him. His upcoming flight to Hungary required a different path. The detour specifically sidestepped U.S. air bases in Europe, a striking reminder of the precariousness of his trip.
On arrival, Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Hungary’s defense minister, offered a particularly effusive welcome on social media.
“Welcome to Budapest, Israel PM, Benjamin Netanyahu!” – Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky
While in Budapest, Netanyahu is set to visit the country’s Holocaust Museum. This notable space evokes a rich history of the complexities of Jewish identity and various degrees of suffering across Europe. He has scheduled meetings with foreign emissaries, further emphasizing his commitment to maintaining international relations even amidst domestic turmoil.
Hungary’s relationship with the ICC raises additional layers of complexity for Netanyahu’s visit. The country is a non–party to the Rome Statute. If it does not enforce the ICC’s decisions, it will violate its own obligations as set forth by international law. Netanyahu currently confronts a special geopolitical moment. He does not appear worried about a possible meeting with police when he touches down at Ferenc Liszt International Airport.
Viktor Orbán is Hungary’s prime minister and one of Netanyahu’s most vocal, apparent, and unapologetic allies. He has deliberately developed a confrontational idol-worshiping geopolitical view of the world. His willingness to engage with figures like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin demonstrates a shared ethos of defiance against international criticism. Orbán and Netanyahu have an enormous bromance. They are each vocal opponents of their nations’ judicial systems and media environments.
Netanyahu’s visit comes after a significant hiatus from countries under the ICC’s jurisdiction since the issuance of the arrest warrant in November. This trip serves dual purposes: it allows Netanyahu to return to basics and reconnect with allies while simultaneously exploiting what some might describe as an inferiority complex among Hungarians. These dynamics are key to understanding how and why Hungary became a safe haven for Netanyahu during his weekend’s of turmoil.
In light of the renewed Israeli military offensive in Gaza, Netanyahu has opted not to return home before the onset of Shabbat. This decision illustrates his commitment to keeping international commitments in the face of urgent domestic issues. Netanyahu must see the Hungarian capital as a safe space. He’s able to push through his political agenda with little opposition among his trusted allies there.
This visit does not stop at just basic diplomacy. It helps us understand the greater geopolitical currents at work and underscores the danger of placing national sovereignty above international responsibility. Netanyahu’s efforts to paint himself as a peacemaker and defender of democracy on the world stage. His trip there will undoubtedly set the tone for how he is perceived both at home and internationally.
