Hungary Announces Withdrawal from International Criminal Court as Netanyahu Visits Budapest
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán declares Hungary's intent to leave the ICC, citing its politicization, during a formal visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced that the country intends to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), describing the court as having devolved into a "political forum".
The declaration coincided with the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently subject to an ICC arrest warrant.
Orbán stated that Hungary believes the ICC, previously an important judicial body, has diminished in significance.
During the four-day visit, Netanyahu welcomed Orbán's decision, calling it "bold and principled" and asserting that democracies must stand against organizations that he perceives as corrupt.
Netanyahu has been under an ICC warrant since November 2023 related to accusations of war crimes in Gaza.
The Hungarian government plans to initiate the withdrawal process, which involves passing a bill through the Hungarian parliament and notifying the United Nations Secretary-General.
Following this notification, Hungary's exit from the ICC would take effect one year later.
All 27 EU members are currently ICC members, making Hungary's potential departure significant within the context of EU legal commitments.
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described Hungary's decision as "important", criticizing the ICC for allegedly losing its moral standing by infringing upon Israel’s right to self-defense during ongoing conflicts.
Concerns regarding Hungary's decision have been expressed by the ICC's governing body, which emphasized the court's role in global accountability and warned that Hungary's exit would weaken the commitment to justice and combatting impunity.
During the visit, Netanyahu was officially welcomed in a ceremony in Budapest, which included a military parade.
His schedule includes a tour of the Holocaust Museum and additional political meetings before his departure on Sunday.
The invitation from Orbán was extended the day after the ICC issued the arrest warrant against Netanyahu, a move criticized by Israel as politically motivated.
The Hungarian government has historically aligned itself with Netanyahu's administration, both of which represent right-wing nationalist movements.
Hungary has frequently opposed EU statements condemning Israeli actions, which reflects the alignment between the two countries.
Netanyahu's visit marks his second international trip since the issuance of ICC warrants against him and others involved in the conflict, following a previous trip to the United States.
While EU member states are divided on the enforcement of the ICC warrants—some expressing intent to act on them while others seek pathways for Netanyahu’s travel without risk of arrest—Netanyahu's diplomatic engagements signify continued efforts to assert Israel's position on the global stage amid escalating scrutiny.
The ICC, based in The Hague, functions as a permanent tribunal aimed at prosecuting individuals for serious international crimes, including war crimes and genocide.
Despite its aims, the court faces challenges regarding enforcement and recognition, with Hungary's potential departure being one of only a few instances of an ICC member withdrawing from the treaty since its inception.
The declaration coincided with the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently subject to an ICC arrest warrant.
Orbán stated that Hungary believes the ICC, previously an important judicial body, has diminished in significance.
During the four-day visit, Netanyahu welcomed Orbán's decision, calling it "bold and principled" and asserting that democracies must stand against organizations that he perceives as corrupt.
Netanyahu has been under an ICC warrant since November 2023 related to accusations of war crimes in Gaza.
The Hungarian government plans to initiate the withdrawal process, which involves passing a bill through the Hungarian parliament and notifying the United Nations Secretary-General.
Following this notification, Hungary's exit from the ICC would take effect one year later.
All 27 EU members are currently ICC members, making Hungary's potential departure significant within the context of EU legal commitments.
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described Hungary's decision as "important", criticizing the ICC for allegedly losing its moral standing by infringing upon Israel’s right to self-defense during ongoing conflicts.
Concerns regarding Hungary's decision have been expressed by the ICC's governing body, which emphasized the court's role in global accountability and warned that Hungary's exit would weaken the commitment to justice and combatting impunity.
During the visit, Netanyahu was officially welcomed in a ceremony in Budapest, which included a military parade.
His schedule includes a tour of the Holocaust Museum and additional political meetings before his departure on Sunday.
The invitation from Orbán was extended the day after the ICC issued the arrest warrant against Netanyahu, a move criticized by Israel as politically motivated.
The Hungarian government has historically aligned itself with Netanyahu's administration, both of which represent right-wing nationalist movements.
Hungary has frequently opposed EU statements condemning Israeli actions, which reflects the alignment between the two countries.
Netanyahu's visit marks his second international trip since the issuance of ICC warrants against him and others involved in the conflict, following a previous trip to the United States.
While EU member states are divided on the enforcement of the ICC warrants—some expressing intent to act on them while others seek pathways for Netanyahu’s travel without risk of arrest—Netanyahu's diplomatic engagements signify continued efforts to assert Israel's position on the global stage amid escalating scrutiny.
The ICC, based in The Hague, functions as a permanent tribunal aimed at prosecuting individuals for serious international crimes, including war crimes and genocide.
Despite its aims, the court faces challenges regarding enforcement and recognition, with Hungary's potential departure being one of only a few instances of an ICC member withdrawing from the treaty since its inception.
