On Thursday afternoon, a protest was organized by the Anarchist Student Movement at Széll Kálmán Square in Budapest in response to the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

This visit comes in the wake of an international arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) concerning alleged crimes against humanity related to the ongoing violence in Gaza.

The protest attracted approximately one hundred participants who chanted slogans condemning Netanyahu, including terms such as 'child killer' and demanding his arrest.

Demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and banners asserting solidarity with the Palestinian people, proclaiming 'Enough with Zionism' and 'We stand with the Palestinians.'

The backdrop for the protest is the controversial political climate surrounding Netanyahu's visit.

The ICC issued the arrest warrant against him in November of the previous year, alleging that his policies and decisions directly contributed to the violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The Hungarian government condemned the ICC's decision as absurd and shameful, indicating intentions to ignore the warrant.

This sentiment was echoed when Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán invited Netanyahu to Budapest, coinciding with a previously announced decision to withdraw Hungary from the ICC.

In addition to the protest at Széll Kálmán Square, a right-wing party, Mi Hazánk, also staged a demonstration on the same day, labeling Netanyahu a war criminal in solidarity with the broader anti-war rhetoric present in the city.

The protests reflect a growing discontent regarding foreign policy decisions and humanitarian issues, gaining traction not only in Hungary but also in various parts of the world, as concerns over civilian casualties in conflict zones continue to rise.

The demonstrators' actions coincide with other protests throughout Hungary, including a larger movement in opposition to restrictions on the right to assembly in recent months, highlighting an atmosphere of unrest surrounding governmental policies.

As members of the crowd gathered peacefully, they were monitored by a significant police presence, which began verifying participants' identities as the protest proceeded.

Officers maintained a respectful distance during the early moments of the gathering but later intervened as tensions escalated.

These ongoing protests underscore a complex intersection of local and international issues, as sentiments regarding Israel's military actions and Hungary's political alliances converge on the streets of Budapest.