Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s planned visit to Hungary has created quite a scandal. His intent is to garner international favor for an equally controversial plan to demilitarize and reconstruct Gaza. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was the first European leader to invite Netanyahu for such a visit. He wants to win Hungary’s support for a proposal floated by former U.S. President Donald Trump. In February, the Israeli proposal was released to turn Gaza into a Mediterranean theme park and resort. Yet, in a controversial move, it proposes the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from the region.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has already issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu. Tellingly though, Hungary is not the only one reticent to comment on Trump’s proposal and Netanyahu’s impending visit. Hungary is a member of the European Union, which is committed to upholding ICC rulings. Prime Minister Orban already rejected the ICC’s decision last November when it was first issued.
Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary highlights his efforts to rally international support for Trump’s vision for Gaza. In February, Netanyahu came to Washington to meet with Trump, where they talked about the proposal’s details at length.
“Netanyahu is trying to build a coalition of as many countries as possible backing Trump’s plan for Gaza.” – The Times of Israel
The ICC has released an arrest warrant for Hamas military chief Ibrahim Al-Masri. This unfortunate development only further complicates matters. Israel has uniformly denied the allegations against its leaders as “false and absurd.”
So far, Budapest has remained tight-lipped on the announced future visit. More than an expression of defiance, Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary is a sign of a strategic campaign to build alliances. Hungary’s uncharacteristic silence calls into question the country’s intentions and likely future actions regarding the ICC’s rulings.
Netanyahu’s visit comes at a moment when U.S. foreign policy is under exceptional scrutiny. This tension arises from the fragile peace in the plan for Gaza. The proposal has ignited a firestorm of criticism regarding its ethics and practicality. The outcome of Netanyahu’s diplomatic efforts in Hungary remains uncertain, with the international community closely watching developments.
