Israel’s head of government in Hungary

The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) has reacted with indignation to the fact that Israel’s head of government, Benjamin Netanjahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on an arrest warrant, is visiting Hungary: “Viktor Orbán has no regard for international jurisdiction, placing himself among the gravediggers of universal international law – Putin, Trump, and the likes… Thus, Germany and the other EU states now have an even greater duty to stand up for the institutions that protect our rules and norms. Both Friedrich Merz and Olaf Scholz should call on Hungary to arrest Netanjahu,” demanded Sarah Reinke, head of human rights work at the STP.

The future German government has a duty to protect and support the International Criminal Court – the first permanent international court in history. “Merz’s statement that he would allow Netanjahu to enter and leave Germany without being arrested is disastrous. This statement must be retracted,” Reinke said.

“It is especially important for the member states of the ICC not to apply double standards in this context. An arrest warrant against Netanjahu should be just as valid as an arrest warrant against Putin. Further, the ICC should proceed as neutrally and objectively as possible. Otherwise, it exposes itself to the accusation of double standards and the legitimate question of why it is not investigating against Turkish President Erdoğan,” Reinke added.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanjahu arrived in Hungary during the night of April 3. Hungary, like all ICC member states, is obligated to arrest Netanjahu immediately – as soon as he sets foot on Hungarian territory.