By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

Human Rights Watch urges Hungary to arrest Netanyahu over Gaza genocide as ICC warrant highlights ongoing impunity and EU inaction.

Key Developments

• Human Rights Watch calls on Hungary to arrest Netanyahu in accordance with its binding ICC obligations.
• ICC arrest warrant over Gaza genocide and war crimes remains in force for Netanyahu and Gallant.
• Hungary faces criticism for shielding a wanted leader amid continued Israeli attacks on Palestinians.

HRW Calls Arrest

Human Rights Watch has called on Hungarian authorities to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he enters the country, ahead of a planned visit on March 21.

Netanyahu is expected to travel to Hungary to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference Hungary, shortly before the country’s national elections scheduled for April 12.

“Despite its move to leave the ICC, Hungary is still a member country and is still obligated to arrest and surrender individuals wanted by the court,” said Alice Autin, international justice researcher at Human Rights Watch.

The organization stressed that Hungary’s legal obligations remain in force despite its announced intention to withdraw from the court.

ICC Warrant Details

On November 21, 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Gaza since at least October 8, 2023.

Both remain fugitives from the court.

Under ICC rules, member states are required to arrest individuals subject to warrants if they enter their territory.

“By flouting this obligation, for the second time in less than a year, Hungary would further entrench impunity for serious crimes in Palestine and once again betray victims who have been denied justice for far too long,” Autin said.

Human Rights Watch emphasized that Hungary’s withdrawal from the ICC has not yet taken effect and does not exempt it from cooperation.

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Gaza Genocide

Human Rights Watch said that since October 2023, Israeli forces have carried out war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip.

The organization noted that continued restrictions on aid entering Gaza have caused severe shortages of medicines, reconstruction materials, food, and water.

It stressed that the humanitarian situation remains critical, with large parts of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure destroyed.

Human Rights Watch also linked Netanyahu’s planned visit to broader regional developments.

The visit comes as Israel and the United States carry out a war of aggression against Iran, while Iran responds with strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries.

In early March, Israeli forces escalated their attacks in Lebanon and ordered the evacuation of large areas of southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs.

The group warned that such actions raise “a real likelihood of the commission of the war crime of forced displacement.”

It added that the escalating hostilities underscore the “urgent need to respect the rule of law and support credible avenues for justice, such as the ICC.”

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Hungary Non-Compliance

Netanyahu previously visited Hungary in April 2025 without being arrested.

In July, ICC judges found that Hungary had failed to comply with its obligation to cooperate with the court and referred the matter to the Assembly of States Parties.

During its annual session in December, the Assembly acknowledged the finding but did not take further action.

Human Rights Watch said that ICC member states should strengthen their responses to such noncooperation.

During Netanyahu’s April 2025 visit, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced his government’s intention to withdraw from the ICC treaty, the Rome Statute.

On June 2, 2025, Hungary formally notified the United Nations secretary-general of its withdrawal, which is set to take effect on June 2, 2026.

The decision has drawn criticism from Hungarian international lawyers and civil society organizations.

Human Rights Watch noted that Hungary remains bound by its obligations until the withdrawal is finalized.

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EU Action Urged

Human Rights Watch said that European Union institutions and member states have failed to take sufficient measures to address Hungary’s position on the ICC.

In 2018, the European Parliament initiated proceedings under Article 7 of the EU treaty to assess whether Hungary’s erosion of the rule of law breaches fundamental EU values.

However, EU member states have not taken concrete action.

The European Commission said in May 2025 that it was “in the process of analyzing Hungary’s announced withdrawal from the ICC in the light of the EU’s acquis,” but no further developments have been announced.

Human Rights Watch urged EU leadership and ICC member states to press Hungary to reverse its withdrawal and cooperate with the court.

It also called on governments to publicly reaffirm their commitment to executing ICC warrants and to condemn Hungary if it fails to act.

“(Prime Minister Viktor) Orban’s government is about to roll out the red carpet again for Netanyahu, when it is obligated to arrest him,” Autin said.

“Silence and persistent inaction from the EU risks sending a dangerous message of acquiescence as the Israeli government continues to be responsible for atrocities.”

(PC, HRW, Anadolu)