Israeli PM's visit to Hungary sparks concerns of cracking EU unity

The EU member states view the upcoming visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Hungary as an attempt to undermine the unity of the Western bloc.

Several EU capitals view this week's contentious Israeli visit to Hungary as a deliberate challenge to transatlantic values, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The incoming German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said on March 1: "I have also promised him [Netanyahu] that we will find ways and means for him to visit Germany and also to be able to leave again without being arrested in Germany. I think it is a completely absurd idea that an Israeli prime minister cannot visit Germany."

In January, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk had assured Netanyahu that he could attend the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp without the risk of arrest, though the Israeli PM ultimately did not attend. 

On November 21, 2024, the Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The EU spokesperson reiterated Europe's support for a two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, while also condemning Israeli aggression and the expansion of settlements in the West Bank. 

One of the reasons for Netanyahu's trip to Hungary was to garner support from EU allies for Trump's vision of expelling Palestinians from Gaza, a plan that would effectively end Palestinian statehood. On February 24, all 27 EU foreign ministers met with Netanyahu's foreign minister, Gideon Sa'ar, in Brussels, signaling a continuation of normal diplomatic relations despite the ICC's scrutiny of their administration. 

The EU also rejected calls from Spain and Ireland to suspend trade benefits with Israel on human rights grounds. When EU leaders convened in Brussels on March 20, they toned down their criticism of Netanyahu's unilateral destruction of the Gaza ceasefire on March 18, potentially signaling an openness to further violence.

By Naila Huseynova