Hungary prevents joint EU criticism of Israel policy
A joint statement of EU countries rejecting the Israeli Parliament's rejection of a Palestinian state has failed due to Hungary's resistance. A high-ranking EU official in Brussels stated that only a statement from EU High Representative Josep Borrell could be published. In this statement, the European Union expresses regret over the resolution passed by the Knesset on Thursday. There is a broad consensus in the international community that the only sustainable solution to the Middle East conflict is the two-state solution. Palestinians and Israelis have the same right to live in security, dignity, and peace. No hope and no perspective for the Palestinian people would deepen the current conflict.
Why Hungary prevented a statement in the name of all EU countries remained unclear at first. Diplomats mentioned as possible background that the Budapest government has very good relations with Israel. Hungarian right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban has maintained friendly relations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for decades.
His government has also announced that it would not execute an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Netanyahu on its territory. ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan requested arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Defense Minister Joav Galant, as well as three leaders of the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas, for alleged crimes against humanity in May. The court must now decide on these requests. Hungary also recently prevented a joint statement of EU countries on Russia's actions against European media.**
The majority of Knesset members voted on Thursday for a resolution rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state. Among them, according to reports, were the parties of the right-religious coalition led by Netanyahu, as well as the opposition party of Benny Gantz, which, according to polls, would be the strongest party in upcoming elections and would receive the most seats in parliament.
- Despite Hungary's resistance, a joint statement from all EU countries rejecting Israel's rejection of a Palestinian state failed to materialize, as highlighted by a high-ranking EU official in Brussels.
- Following Hungary's blocking of the joint EU statement, it was only possible for EU High Representative Josep Borrell to publish a statement expressing the EU's regret over the Israeli Knesset's resolution rejecting a Palestinian state.
- The close relations between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with Hungary's decision not to execute an arrest warrant against Netanyahu from the International Criminal Court, were speculated as potential reasons behind Hungary's objection to the EU's criticism of Israel-Politics.
