 The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) will launch a coordinated legal and political campaign tomorrow to counter the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—currently wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC)—to Hungary or anywhere in Europe. Netanyahu is subject to an ICC arrest warrant for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Under his command, the Israeli military has overseen the killing of more than 61,000 Palestinians in Gaza, including over 17,000 children, alongside the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and the use of starvation as a weapon of war. These actions are not only morally indefensible—they are legally prosecutable under international law. Welcoming Netanyahu to Hungary—or facilitating his travel through European airspace—constitutes a direct violation of the legal obligations of ICC State Parties. HRF will submit a detailed Article 15 communication to the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC, urging an investigation into Hungary’s breach of its obligations under the Rome Statute by inviting and receiving an individual subject to an ICC arrest warrant.
The communication will also address the responsibility of other European States whose airspace may be used to facilitate Netanyahu’s travel, despite their legal obligations to intercept and arrest ICC suspects passing through their jurisdiction. HRF is also coordinating with legal teams across multiple European jurisdictions to prepare universal jurisdiction filings and initiate arrest procedures should Netanyahu land or transit through any additional State Party territories. Furthermore, we are urging various competent bodies to take injunctive actions to block Netanyahu’s overflight through national airspaces, based on ICC State Party obligations and precedent. Furhermore, HRF will formally request that the Hungarian Public Prosecutor initiate immediate proceedings under Hungary’s international criminal law framework to arrest Netanyahu upon arrival. Hungary is legally bound to cooperate with the ICC and to surrender suspects. Inaction would constitute complicity and a breach of domestic and international legal commitments. Benjamin Netanyahu is not an ordinary head of state. He is a suspect named in an active ICC arrest warrant, based on overwhelming evidence of mass atrocities. Hosting him—or allowing his aircraft to pass through national airspace—signals not neutrality, but betrayal: a betrayal of international justice, of the ICC’s authority, and of every victim who has suffered under his command. The HRF will act swiftly, decisively, and publicly. And we will continue to expose those who allow war criminals to walk free. Comments are closed.
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