Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to touch down in Hungary this Wednesday evening, sparking speculation about what’s on the agenda with his longtime ally, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
While official details remain scarce, reports suggest that Netanyahu may seek Orbán’s backing for former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza.
That said, Orbán’s strong opposition to mass immigration makes it doubtful he’d sign on to such a proposal. Even so, whether Netanyahu will even broach the topic remains uncertain, as discussions between the two leaders are being kept tightly under wraps.
This visit marks Netanyahu’s first trip to Europe since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against him last November over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Hungary, as a signatory of the ICC’s Rome Statute, would technically be obligated to detain him upon arrival. However, Orbán has made it clear he has no intention of enforcing the warrant and had already extended an invitation for Netanyahu to visit his country.
An anonymous source quoted by The Times of Israel claims the primary focus of the talks will be Hungary’s potential support for Trump’s vision for Gaza. Since returning to the political spotlight, Trump has floated the idea of transforming the war-torn region into a U.S.-controlled zone. Initial details of his plan suggested relocating Gaza’s Palestinian population elsewhere while rebuilding the territory, with Trump even sharing a promotional video that depicted a future Gaza as a luxury casino and resort destination. However, after facing backlash, Trump walked back on the relocation aspect, insisting Palestinians wouldn’t be forced to leave.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s proposal, Netanyahu is reportedly working behind the scenes to gather international support, and Orbán’s backing would be a valuable asset.
The upcoming meeting underscores the deep ties between Netanyahu and Orbán, whose relationship has remained strong over the years. This will be Netanyahu’s second visit to Hungary as prime minister, following a historic trip in 2017, when he became the first Israeli leader to visit the country since the fall of communism.
Notably, Netanyahu’s 2017 visit coincided with a global media storm accusing Orbán of anti-Semitism due to his government’s campaign against Hungarian-born billionaire George Soros. While Netanyahu never directly addressed the controversy, many saw his visit as a tacit show of support for the Hungarian leader in the face of criticism from international liberal circles.
According to reports, Netanyahu will remain in Hungary through Saturday, observing the Jewish Sabbath, before heading back to Israel on Sunday. As discussions unfold behind closed doors, the world will be watching to see what, if anything, emerges from this high-stakes meeting.
