ICSPR Urges Hungarian Authorities to Arrest War Criminal Benjamin Netanyahu and Hand Him Over to the International Criminal Court

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Reference Number: 36/2025
Date: April 2, 2025

Press Release
ICSPR Urges Hungarian Authorities to Arrest War Criminal Benjamin Netanyahu and Hand Him Over to the International Criminal Court

The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR) is deeply concerned about reports suggesting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to make an official visit to Hungary starting tomorrow, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. This would mark his second international trip since the ICC issued an arrest warrant against him, following his first visit to Washington in February 2025, where he met with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Hungary, as a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), is legally obligated to execute ICC arrest warrants, including the one issued against Netanyahu for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the use of starvation as a weapon of war against Palestinians.

Failure by Hungary to fulfill its international obligations and arrest Netanyahu would constitute a serious violation of international law and an act of complicity in Israel’s war crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories. Additionally, neglecting to enforce ICC orders would embolden the Israeli occupation to continue committing crimes with impunity, undermining the international justice system.

The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR) reiterates its call on Hungary and all States Parties to the Rome Statute to uphold their legal and moral responsibilities. It urges the Hungarian government to fulfill its legal and historical duty by demonstrating its commitment to international justice and complying with ICC rulings. Therefore, ICSPR emphasizes the following:

ICSPR calls on Hungarian judicial authorities to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and immediately transfer him to the International Criminal Court upon his arrival in Hungary, in compliance with the ICC arrest warrant.
ICSPR affirms that any failure to enforce the arrest warrant against Netanyahu amounts to complicity in international crimes and the harboring of a war criminal wanted for international justice, thereby fueling impunity.
ICSPR urges the international community, human rights defenders, organizations, and lawyers in Hungary to ensure states’ compliance with international law and prevent war criminals from evading justice and violating international legal principles.
ICSPR reiterates that Netanyahu is responsible for genocide crimes, including mass starvation policies, indiscriminate bombings, and the deliberate targeting of civilians in Gaza—acts that constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.