Europe standing on wrong side of history by appeasing Israel: Iran

The spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry says Europe is standing on the wrong side of history by appeasing Israel, stressing that it is showing disregard for “the rule of law” by ignoring the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu, the regime's criminal prime minister. 

Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks in a post on his X account on Sunday, following Netanyahu’s official visit to Hungary despite an active ICC arrest warrant for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by his regime in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu visits Hungary despite arrest warrant

Despite arrest warrant from the ICC, Hungaryian PM has extended an invitation to Netanyahu, to visit Budapest.

“The International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Israeli regime's officials reflects the widespread global outrage over genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, as well as an overwhelming demand to uphold international law and end impunity for atrocity crimes against Palestinians,” Baghaei said.

“Yet, by appeasing the Israeli regime, Europe is compromising its moral credibility and placing itself on the wrong side of a defining historical moment,” he added.

The spokesman went on to say that Europe is “dishonoring the rule of law, betraying justice and re-enforcing the impunity with all its lethal consequences for the innocent victims and the whole humanity.”

“This is truly normalization of lawlessness and banalization of atrocity,” he said.

Netanyahu touched down in Budapest on Wednesday evening for a four-day trip at the invitation of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

The far-right Hungarian leader invited his Israeli counterpart despite Netanyahu being formally charged with the use of starvation as a method of warfare and committing crimes against humanity, including extermination, during the genocidal war in Gaza.

The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former war minister, Yoav Gallant, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity on November 21, 2024.

ICC strongly censures Hungary for ignoring Netanyahu arrest warrant

 As a member state of the ICC, Hungary is obliged to arrest Netanyahu upon his arrival in the central European country,

As a member state of the ICC, Hungary was obliged to arrest Netanyahu upon his arrival in the central European country and surrender him to the court.

However, as Netanyahu arrived in the country, Orban announced quitting the ICC in a stark violation of international law.

The Hague-based court has condemned Hungary for refusing to comply with its arrest warrant against Netanyahu.

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