Netanyahu leaves Hungary for US
Israeli Occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed Budapest on Sunday, heading to the United States for talks with US President Donald Trump focused on tariffs and Iran.
Israeli Occupation had attempted to avoid US tariffs through early diplomatic efforts before Trump’s latest announcement. However, Trump proceeded with global tariffs, citing a significant trade imbalance with Israeli Occupation, which he noted remains a key recipient of US military aid.
During his four-day visit to Hungary, Netanyahu met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, despite an active arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over war crimes in Gaza. The visit coincided with Budapest’s announcement that it would withdraw from the ICC.
Read more: Netanyahu slammed for vacationing while captives remain in Gaza
“This was a very important visit,” Netanyahu said in a statement, noting discussions on defense cooperation, particularly ammunition production, among other issues.
On Monday, Netanyahu is expected to meet Trump to discuss several contentious topics, including international trade tariffs, the Iran nuclear issue, and developments involving the ICC.
In a joint press conference with Orbán, Netanyahu criticized the ICC, calling it a "corrupt organization," and expressed hope that Hungary would not be the last country to leave it.
Orbán defended his government’s decision not to enforce the ICC warrant, saying in a radio interview that “it is not appropriate to arrest guests” and reaffirming Hungary’s strong ties with Israeli Occupation.
Read more: VIDEO: Hungary announces ICC withdrawal as Netanyahu visits Budapest
While in Hungary, Netanyahu also met with Jewish community leaders, visited a Holocaust memorial on the Danube River, and received an honorary recognition from a local university.
Netanyahu and Orbán also held a joint phone call with Trump to discuss Hungary’s withdrawal from the ICC.
Netanyahu faced backlash for extending his diplomatic visit to Hungary to spend the weekend with his wife, while 59 'Israeli' captives remain held by Hamas in Gaza.
Jon Polin, father of Hersh Goldberg-Polin who died in captivity, condemned the move, urging Netanyahu to show accountability and unity, and calling on him to stop dividing the nation. “Why vacation during war? We Israelis deserve better,” Polin said.
