Netanyahu will travel to Hungary next month to deliver remarks at the annual gathering of nationalist and conservative leaders. The event comes just weeks before Hungary’s parliamentary elections and as Netanyahu faces an outstanding arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.
In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his then-defense minister, Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the war in Gaza.
The Israeli leader visited Hungary in April 2025. Following his arrival, the ICC submitted a formal request for his provisional arrest, which Hungarian authorities declined to act upon. In July, the court ruled that Hungary had failed to uphold its obligations by refusing to detain Netanyahu.
In May, Hungary’s parliament passed legislation initiating the country’s withdrawal from the ICC, though Budapest remains a party to the court until June 2026.
Netanyahu is a close ally of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who hosted him with great fanfare during last year’s visit. CPAC events have been held in Hungary four times and are widely associated with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s political movement.
This year’s Budapest conference will take place just three weeks before national elections, where polls currently show the opposition TISZA party, led by Peter Magyar, slightly ahead of Orban’s ruling Fidesz party.
(jh)
Source: PAP