In positive sign for Hungary-Israel relations, designated PM Magyar invites Netanyahu to visit despite ICC arrest warrant

When Peter Magyar won Sunday’s Hungarian elections against Viktor Orban, one of Israel’s most staunch allies overall and one of the few left in Europe, many feared that relations would now take a significant dip.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waited almost 24 hours before congratulating Magyar, while expressing “deep appreciation” to his “dear friend” Orban for standing “firmly by Israel's side in the face of unjust international vilification.”

However, Netanyahu and Magyar spoke on the phone on Wednesday, with the Prime Minister’s Office’s (PMO) statement containing several positive signs for the continuation of the close relations between Budapest and Jerusalem.

“Hungarian Prime Minister-elect Magyar stated his intention to maintain the close relationship between Hungary and Israel and invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to participate in a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Hungarian Uprising,” the statement read.

I want to express my deep appreciation to my dear friend @PM_ViktorOrban , a true friend of Israel, who stood firmly by Israel's side in the face of unjust international vilification and who supported Israel's soldiers in our just war of self-defense against brutal terrorists.…

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) April 13, 2026

This is a crucial signal as Magyar had vowed to reverse the exit of Hungary from the Rome Statutes that form the basis of the authority of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In an act of open defiance, Orban had invited Netanyahu to visit the country despite the arrest warrants issued against him, before declaring Hungary would stop cooperating with the ICC.

Netanyahu “welcomed” Magyar’s remarks, accepted the invitation and, in turn, invited the Prime Minister-elect to a government-to-government (G2G) meeting in Jerusalem, the PMO said.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his confidence that the warm relations shared with outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán would continue during the term of Prime Minister-elect Magyar. The two leaders agreed that their respective foreign ministers would meet soon to discuss the continuation of the close ties between Israel and Hungary.”

Magyar’s election victory was widely seen as a signal that Hungarians were fed up with allegations of corruption against Orban’s government as well as a perceived anti-EU and pro-Russian foreign policy.

One of the expressions of Orban’s contrarian stance in the EU was blocking statements targeting Israel, and experts warned that Magyar could use the same issue to re-ingratiate the country with the EU.

"I love Germany"

Péter Magyar spoke in his first press conference after his election victory about the possibility of Hungary rejoining the Rome Statute for the International Criminal Court as well as future relations with Israel and with Germany. Here's what he said:

"The… pic.twitter.com/KgIkiNSyem

— Michael Thaidigsmann (@Thaidigsmann) April 13, 2026

In a first press conference after his victory, Magyar said he could not “guarantee that Hungary will continue to block the EU’s decisions regarding Israel. Of course, every issue and every decision must be examined individually. But as I said, I don’t want to get ahead of myself here. We will see what decisions the EU makes and what is in our interest and what is right.”

However, he also noted the “special bond” between the two countries, emphasizing that many Hungarians live in Israel while many Israelis travel to Hungary.

“There is a very strong Jewish community in Hungary, one of the largest in Europe, fortunately living in peace and security. Hungary has always had zero tolerance for all forms of antisemitism, and this will remain the case… Apart from that, Israel is an important economic partner, and we will continue to work together. We strive for a pragmatic relationship,” said Magyar.