Netanyahu leaves Hungary for tariff talks with Trump, says he’ll discuss hostages, Gaza, doesn’t mention Iran

As a military honor guard sees him off from Budapest, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praises Hungary for supporting Israel in international bodies.

“It defends us in the European Union,” he says before boarding Wing of Zion to fly to Washington. “It defends us in the UN, and no less than that, in the corrupt International Criminal Court in The Hague, which is directed against all of us – against IDF soldiers, IDF commanders and the State of Israel.”

He says Hungary’s withdrawal from the ICC last week is “a sign of things to come.”

Netanyahu highlights discussions with Hungary about the joint production of armaments, and about the hostages in Gaza, who include Hungarian citizen Omri Miran. The prime minister’s statement notes that he discussed with Orban “the Hungarian hostage,” but did not name Miran specifically.

Netanyahu says he will discuss with US President Donald Trump tomorrow “the hostages, the completion of the victory in Gaza, and of course the tariff regime that was also imposed on Israel.”

“I hope that I can help in this matter,” he says. “That is the intention.”

He does not mention potential discussions on thwarting Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions.

Noting that he is the first world leader to meet with Trump in person about tariffs, he says, “This reflects the special personal connection and the special connection between the United States and Israel, which is so vital at this time.”

Netanyahu offers his support to the families of hostages who were seen in propaganda videos recently released by the Hamas terror group.

“We are also working at these moments to bring about their release, and we will not let up,” he says, as Israel continues to expand its ground operation in Gaza.