Assuring Netanyahu that he would face no risks if he visited Hungary, Orban branded the arrest warrants a "brazen, cynical and completely unacceptable decision". Orban, who is often at odds with his EU peers, has forged warm ties with Netanyahu.

"Today I will invite Israel's prime minister, Mr. Netanyahu, for a visit to Hungary and in that invite I will guarantee him that if he comes, the ICC ruling will have no effect in Hungary, and we will not follow its contents," Orban said.

All EU countries are members of the ICC and, as such, have an obligation to carry out its warrants. However EU heavyweights Germany and France declined to say what they would do if the Israeli leader entered their territory, while non-EU Britain - also an ICC member - was similarly circumspect in its response.