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ICC signatory Hungary won't observe Netanyahu arrest warrant, PM Orban says

Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday he would invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Hungary, saying he would guarantee that an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Netanyahu would "not be observed".

The ICC issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Netanyahu and his former defence chief, as well as a Hamas leader, Mohammed Deif, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza war.

Orban, whose country holds the European Union's rotating six-month presidency, told state radio that the ICC's arrest warrant was "wrong" and said the Israeli leader would be able to conduct negotiations in Hungary "in adequate safety".

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) in Jerusalem 19 July 2018 (AFP)
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) in Jerusalem 19 July 2018 (AFP)

Reporting by Reuters