Netanyahu Backs Orbán Ahead of Hungary Elections | i24NEWS

March 22, 2026 Priya Shah – Business Editor Business

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced support for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán ahead of next month’s parliamentary elections, describing him as a “strong” leader who ensures stability. The endorsement came in a video message delivered to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Budapest on Thursday, March 21, 2026, according to reports from The Times of Israel and Hungarian news site Index.hu.

Netanyahu lauded Orbán’s commitment to “security, stability, and firmness” in the face of current challenges, stating, “You need leaders who can protect their countries against the rise of Islamist terror and ensure the safety of their citizens,” and asserting that Orbán possesses these qualities “in abundance.” This public statement is widely interpreted as a direct show of support during a critical election period for Hungary.

The Israeli Prime Minister, who had been scheduled to attend CPAC Hungary in person, ultimately canceled his trip due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. His son, Yair Netanyahu, did attend the conference and spoke at the event. Netanyahu’s message also thanked Orbán for his support of what he termed “Western civilization” in the face of growing radicalism.

This endorsement follows a similar expression of support from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has also voiced “total and unwavering” backing for Orbán, reinforcing the image of a transatlantic conservative political front.

Netanyahu’s previous visit to Hungary in April 2025 saw him praise the Hungarian government’s decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), which had issued an arrest warrant for him related to the conduct of the Hamas–Israel war. Human Rights Watch has called on Hungary to arrest Netanyahu should he return to the country, citing Hungary’s continuing obligations as an ICC member despite its announced intention to leave the tribunal. Hungary’s exit from the ICC is not yet finalized, and the country remains legally bound by its commitments.

The fifth annual CPAC Hungary conference, organized by the Budapest-based Center for Fundamental Rights, is taking place during a highly sensitive time in Hungarian politics, less than a month before the parliamentary elections. The event also comes after Orbán announced plans to leave the International Criminal Court nearly a year ago during a visit from Netanyahu.