Israeli President Herzog Meets Hungarian PM Magyar, Invites Him to Israel

President Isaac Herzog met with Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar in Budapest on Tuesday, discussing ways to deepen bilateral relations and cooperation between Israel and Hungary, as well as Israel's ties with the European Union and regional challenges.

Hersog praised Hungary's government for its fight against antisemitism, calling it a safe country for Jews and Israelis. He thanked Magyar for his commitment to the security of Jewish communities in Hungary. Following the meeting, a formal lunch was held with senior ministers from the Hungarian cabinet, after which President Herzog invited Prime Minister Magyar to visit Israel.

Magyar, leader of the center-right "Tisza" party, defeated Viktor Orbán in April elections. Orbán, who had been a close ally of Israel in the EU, had previously blocked sanctions and condemnations against the country. Magyar's party secured a two-thirds majority in parliament, and he was sworn in as prime minister in May.

Additionally, Magyar announced that Hungary would not withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, which has issued an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Magyar clarified that Hungary would respect the court's arrest warrants. In late May, the Hungarian parliament approved the cancellation of the withdrawal initiative, which had been promoted by Orbán while hosting Netanyahu.