Hungary announced on Thursday that it will begin the process of withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The decision follows the recent visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently subject to an ICC arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has strongly criticized the ICC’s actions, calling the warrant targeting Netanyahu “brazen” and “unacceptable.”
Orban’s government has long been a supporter of Israel, and this latest move comes just hours after Netanyahu’s arrival in Budapest for a state visit. Netanyahu has found a consistent ally in Orban, who has previously blocked European Union actions critical of Israel. Hungary, which ratified the Rome Statute in 2001, had previously raised concerns that the treaty was not incorporated into domestic law, giving the government grounds to challenge the ICC’s authority.
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The withdrawal process is expected to move quickly in Hungary’s parliament, where Orban’s ruling Fidesz party holds a dominant majority. Orban’s chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas, confirmed that the formal process would begin later that day. This development follows US sanctions against ICC officials earlier this year, which Orban had previously referenced as a reason for Hungary to reconsider its relationship with the court.
Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary is significant as it marks only his second foreign trip since the ICC issued arrest warrants for him and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November. While the details of his visit remain limited, Netanyahu is expected to attend a press conference and visit a Holocaust memorial during his four-day stay in Budapest. The move highlights Hungary’s ongoing support for Israel despite international pressure over its military actions in Gaza.
