Some countries are off limits to Israel’s prime minister because of legal threats that could lead to arrest. That is why the warm reception Benjamin Netanyahu got in Hungary stands out clearly.
After the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant last November against Netanyahu for what it described as war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orban quickly sent him an invitation.
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Then, just hours after Netanyahu landed in Hungary last week, Orban revealed that Hungary was pulling out of the International Criminal Court.
Analysts believe there are many reasons behind this move, all tied to how Orban, Netanyahu, and former US president Donald Trump see the world and act in politics.
Shared Views on Power and Courts
One way to look at it is through their shared dislike for the International Criminal Court. While many liberals strongly support the ICC as a bold step toward global justice, leaders like Orban, Netanyahu, and Trump have voiced their rejection of the court and what it stands for.
There is also a message being sent through Orban’s actions. Hungary, although part of the European Union, is showing it won’t follow rules blindly. Orban is also reaching out to China and Russia by suggesting that Hungary welcomes business ties without conditions. At home, his message is clear to voters: Hungary comes first.
Right now, the global system feels unstable, and rules that used to be certain are no longer trusted. So when leaders test limits, there is little agreement on what is allowed or what is out of bounds.
Strongmen vs. Independent Courts
Israel is not new to special treatment from some nations. The United States and Germany, for example, have taken steps to protect Israeli leaders. Germany’s next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has also promised not to carry out an arrest on Netanyahu, though Germany still supports the ICC.
Even Hungary is not the only ICC member to ignore its duties. When Russia’s president Vladimir Putin visited Mongolia last year, the country did not act on the ICC warrant against him either.
But Orban’s decision to push back against the ICC also seems to connect with his own push to weaken the role of judges, both inside Hungary and across borders.
He said during a radio interview in Hungary last Friday that international courts have turned into political tools. “Unfortunately, the International Criminal Court is one of these. It is a political court,” he said.
These struggles between political leaders and judges are becoming more common across countries like Hungary, Israel, Brazil, and the United States. They reflect a deeper fight over who gets the final say, elected leaders or legal institutions.
A Pattern That Crosses Borders
Since 2010, Orban has used his power to take control of Hungary’s legal system, gaining praise from conservatives around the world.
He filled Hungary’s constitutional court with judges who support his views and pushed out those who didn’t. He has also clashed with European Union courts and complained that they interfere too much in Hungary’s affairs.
Netanyahu, facing charges of bribery and fraud in Israel, claims that the cases against him are attempts to silence voters’ choice. He and his backers want to reduce the court’s influence, saying judges now hold too much control and don’t reflect the full mix of Israeli society.
Trump, who was convicted of 34 criminal offenses before returning to the presidency, also sees his legal challenges as political attacks.
His new administration has refused to follow certain court rulings, which may eventually lead to deep legal trouble between the branches of government. Earlier this year, he even signed an order placing sanctions on ICC officials after the court issued a warrant against Netanyahu.
