Hungary's Orbán vows to disregard international arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Chris Heaton-Harrisprime Minister

Yes absolutely. We support international courts and we apply their warrants,

Harris said

I take note of the decision of the @IntlCrimCourt to issue arrest warrants for Israel PM Netanyahu, former Minister Gallant, and Hamas leader Deif,

he wrote

Benjamin NetanyahupRIME MINISTER

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.”

Netanyahu thanked Orbàn for his “moral clarity”, adding

By joining the court, we must apply its judgments, it is part of the treaty,

Crosetto said

Javier Mileipresident

This resolution ignores Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself against constant attacks by terrorist organisations such as Hamas and Hezbollah.”

Argentina’s prime minister, Javier Milei, an outspoken Netanyahu ally, described the warrants as “an act that distorts the spirit of international justice”, adding

Spain respects the decision of the international criminal court and will fulfil its commitments and obligations with regard to the Rome statute and international law.”

A source in Spain’s foreign ministry said on Friday

There is no choice here, we have to defy this decision,

the nationalist leader said in his weekly interview with state radio

Justin Trudeauprime Minister

First of all, as Canada has always said, it's really important that everyone abide by international law. This is something we've been calling on from the beginning of the conflict,

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters in Toronto

Annalena Baerbockforeign Minister

We are now of course examining exactly what that means for implementation in Germany,

Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said

Joe Bidenpresident

The ICC issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous,

Biden said in a statement

Viktor Orbánprime Minister

We will defy this decision, and it will have no consequences for him,

Orbán said

We will proceed solely on the basis of the quality and state of Israeli-Hungarian relations,

Orbán added

Viktor Orbánprime Minister

This is wrong in itself,

Orbán said in an interview with Hungarian state radio on Friday morning

Today I will invite Israel’s prime minister, Mr. Netanyahu, for a visit to Hungary and in that invite I will guarantee him that if he comes, the ICC ruling will have no effect in Hungary, and we will not follow its contents,

Orban said

Petr Fialaczech Prime Minister

(The move) undermines its authority in other cases when it equates the elected representatives of a democratic state with the leaders of an Islamist terrorist organization.”

However, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala called the ICC decision “unfortunate”, saying on X late on Thursday

At the same time, it is a consequence of German history that we share unique relations and a great responsibility with Israel,

the spokesperson added, alluding to the Nazi era

For us Europeans, this warrant exposes a real dilemma between international law, which is our law, and our foreign policy, especially for those member states that are unconditionally backing Israel,

Eurointelligence analysts wrote in a note

The Chamber issued warrants of arrest for two individuals, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr Yoav Gallant, for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024,

the ICC said in a statement

Australia must join other countries such as Canada, Netherlands, France, amongst others, that have confirmed their commitment to enforcing the arrest warrants,

APAN’s president, Nasser Mashni, said

Penny Wongforeign Minister

Australia respects the independence of the International Criminal Court and its important role in upholding international law,

Wong said in a statement posted to X on Friday