Orban vows to defy arrest warrant against Netanyahu

Hungary leader extends invitation to Israeli PM as Biden criticises 'outrageous' decision by the international court

- ALEXANDER BUTLER

Viktor Orban has vowed to defy the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrant against Benjamin Netanyahu saying that the Israeli leader is invited to Hungary.

On Thursday, the court accused Mr Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza. A warrant was also issued for Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, who Israel says was killed in an airstrike this summer.

The Hungarian prime minister branded the ICC’s decision as “brazen, cynical and completely unacceptable” and assured Mr Netanyahu he would face no risks if he visited Hungary.

Joe Biden described the ICC’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for the Israeli PM as “outrageous”. The US president said in a statement that “whatever the ICC might imply, there is no equivalence – none – between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security.”