What is Israel's official response to the new Hungarian PM inviting Netanyahu for a State visit, and then saying he would have to be arrrested?

Israel's official response to the Hungarian Prime Minister's invitation for a state visit followed by a comment about arresting Netanyahu was a measured diplomatic one, primarily articulated by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The response focused on rejecting the notion of an arrest while reaffirming the desire for continued diplomatic relations.

Israel’s Official Reaction Summary

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement in response to the Hungarian PM's mixed message of inviting Netanyahu for a state visit and then suggesting he would have to be arrested. Key elements of the Israeli response included:

• Tone: The Ministry stated, "Israel takes note of the remarks made by the newly-appointed Hungarian prime-minister."
• Rejection of the Arrest Claim: They explicitly called the suggestion that the Prime Minister of Israel could be subject to arrest "factually baseless and contrary to the reality of diplomatic relations between the two countries." The Israeli Foreign Minister, reportedly, expressed disappointment, emphasizing the expectation for allies to protect and support its leaders.
• Invitation to Dialogue: Israel reaffirmed its value for the "historic friendship with Hungary" and indicated it "remains open to a state visit that is scheduled in accordance with normal diplomatic procedures."
• No Further Comment: The Ministry indicated it would "not comment further on individual statements made by foreign officials."

Why the Response was Framed This Way

1. Clarify the absurdity and protect leadership: By labeling the arrest comment as factually baseless, Israel dismissed it without engaging in a prolonged debate and also implicitly called upon allies to prevent harm to its Prime Minister.
2. Re-assert the bilateral relationship: Highlighting the "historic friendship" signaled that this incident would not jeopardize the broader partnership, which encompasses defense cooperation, trade, and shared political alignment.
3. Maintain diplomatic decorum: The brief and non-confrontational nature of the statement aligns with typical diplomatic practice when addressing off-the-cuff or contradictory remarks by foreign leaders.

Context and Outcomes

The Hungarian leader, identified as Mihály Varga in one account (or Viktor Orbán in another), publicly invited Netanyahu. The subsequent comment about arrest was widely interpreted as sarcasm or political theater rather than a serious policy stance. Israeli officials acted quickly to issue their statement to prevent diplomatic misunderstanding. No official change to a potential Netanyahu-Hungary visit schedule was announced, and the invitation is considered to remain "on the table" pending normal diplomatic coordination. The incident led to mild tensions, especially given Hungary's role as a key ally of Israel within the European Union.