Hungary Plans Withdrawal from the International Criminal Court Amid Netanyahu's Visit
Hungary announces a year-long process to exit the ICC as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in Budapest amid war crimes allegations.
BUDAPEST: On April 3, 2025, Hungary's government announced its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), coinciding with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Budapest, his first trip to Europe since 2023. This withdrawal process will take one year to complete, as outlined by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during a joint press conference with Netanyahu.
Netanyahu currently faces an ICC arrest warrant related to allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israeli military actions in Gaza.
However, Hungary's announcement indicates that it will not execute this warrant.
Netanyahu praised Hungary's decision to leave the ICC as a “bold and principled” move, asserting that it is important for democracies to challenge what he termed a corrupt organization.
The ICC, established in 2002 and based in The Hague, serves to prosecute individuals for serious crimes when national courts are unable or unwilling to do so.
As part of the state's withdrawal, Hungary will submit a formal letter to the United Nations Secretary-General, marking the start of the process, which takes effect one year after the formal notification.
Fadi El Abdallah, a spokesman for the ICC, stated that Hungary maintains a duty to cooperate with the court, emphasizing the obligations that come with ICC membership.
Experts suggest that Netanyahu's visit aims to buffer the impact of the court's actions against him and to draw attention away from domestic pressures, as he navigates increasing scrutiny over his administration's legal and governance issues.
In the context of his current visit, Netanyahu is seeking to repair his international standing, especially after the ICC issued warrants related to his leadership's military operations against Hamas.
The ongoing conflict began after Hamas launched an attack against Israel on October 7, 2023.
Hungary signed the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, in 1999 and ratified it in 2001. However, Hungary has not enacted certain laws necessary for full compliance with the ICC’s procedures, leading the government to assert that it is not bound by the court's decisions.
Until now, only Burundi and the Philippines have officially withdrawn from the ICC.
Netanyahu's presence in Hungary comes amid ongoing domestic challenges, including attempts to restructure the authority and appointment processes within Israel’s judiciary and internal security apparatus.
His government faces allegations related to payments from Qatar to members of his staff, alongside increasing criticism over governance and rule of law issues in Israel.
The trip underscores the strategic alignment between Netanyahu and Orban, particularly in terms of their shared positions on international scrutiny and legal accountability.
Netanyahu currently faces an ICC arrest warrant related to allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israeli military actions in Gaza.
However, Hungary's announcement indicates that it will not execute this warrant.
Netanyahu praised Hungary's decision to leave the ICC as a “bold and principled” move, asserting that it is important for democracies to challenge what he termed a corrupt organization.
The ICC, established in 2002 and based in The Hague, serves to prosecute individuals for serious crimes when national courts are unable or unwilling to do so.
As part of the state's withdrawal, Hungary will submit a formal letter to the United Nations Secretary-General, marking the start of the process, which takes effect one year after the formal notification.
Fadi El Abdallah, a spokesman for the ICC, stated that Hungary maintains a duty to cooperate with the court, emphasizing the obligations that come with ICC membership.
Experts suggest that Netanyahu's visit aims to buffer the impact of the court's actions against him and to draw attention away from domestic pressures, as he navigates increasing scrutiny over his administration's legal and governance issues.
In the context of his current visit, Netanyahu is seeking to repair his international standing, especially after the ICC issued warrants related to his leadership's military operations against Hamas.
The ongoing conflict began after Hamas launched an attack against Israel on October 7, 2023.
Hungary signed the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, in 1999 and ratified it in 2001. However, Hungary has not enacted certain laws necessary for full compliance with the ICC’s procedures, leading the government to assert that it is not bound by the court's decisions.
Until now, only Burundi and the Philippines have officially withdrawn from the ICC.
Netanyahu's presence in Hungary comes amid ongoing domestic challenges, including attempts to restructure the authority and appointment processes within Israel’s judiciary and internal security apparatus.
His government faces allegations related to payments from Qatar to members of his staff, alongside increasing criticism over governance and rule of law issues in Israel.
The trip underscores the strategic alignment between Netanyahu and Orban, particularly in terms of their shared positions on international scrutiny and legal accountability.