Hungary: Hungary has announced its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), becoming the first European Union member to take such a step. The announcement came just hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Budapest for a state visit.
Netanyahu, who faces an ICC arrest warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Israel-Hamas war, was invited to Hungary by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in November, shortly after the warrant was issued. At the time, Orbán stated the ruling would have “no effect” in Hungary.
Gergely Gulyás, Orbán’s chief of staff, told Hungarian state news agency MTI that while the ICC was a “respectable initiative,” it had deviated from its original purpose and become politicized. He called the warrant against Netanyahu “unacceptable” and confirmed that Hungary no longer wished to experience in the court’s work.
Gulyás also argued that Hungary’s parliament never incorporated the ICC’s statute into national law, meaning the country was not legally bound by its rulings.
Israel welcomed Hungary’s move, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar thanking Orbán for his “clear and strong moral stance alongside Israel.” Sa’ar blamed the ICC, stating it had “lost its moral authority” and was undermining Israel’s right to self-defence.
Netanyahu has strongly condemned the arrest warrant, calling it “antisemitic” and accusing the court of targeting Israel unfairly. His government is appealing the warrant against him and former defence minister Yoav Gallant.
The ICC, which has 125 member states, prosecutes genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Israel is not a member, but in 2021 the court ruled it had jurisdiction over the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. Other major powers, including the US, Russia, China, and North Korea, also do not recognize the ICC.
Following the warrant, some European ICC member states stated they would arrest Netanyahu if he visited, while others, such as Germany, assured he would not be detained. The US rejected the ICC’s decision, and Netanyahu has since visited Washington without incident.
Hungary now needs to send a formal notification to the UN Secretary-General to finalise its withdrawal, which will take effect in one year under the Rome Statute.
Netanyahu’s visit comes as Israel expands its military offensive in Gaza, with reports of intensified airstrikes and the establishment of a new military corridor. The conflict began with the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken. Since then, Palestinian health officials say more than 50,000 people have been killed in Gaza.
The ICC has also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif, though Israel claims he is dead.
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