Hungary to Withdraw from International Criminal Court Amid Netanyahu’s Visit
Hungary has announced its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), following the arrival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Budapest. Netanyahu’s visit marks his first trip to Europe since the ICC issued an arrest warrant against him in May 2024. The court has accused Netanyahu of war crimes, including using starvation as a method of warfare and committing crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Hungary, a staunch ally of Israel, has long supported Netanyahu and holds significant pro-Israel sentiment. Posters commemorating victims of the October 7 terror attack against Israel can be seen across Budapest, and yellow ribbons adorn a Holocaust memorial near the Hungarian Parliament to show solidarity with hostages held in Gaza.
Zoltan Kovacs, Hungary’s State Secretary for International Communication and Relations, confirmed that Hungary would begin the withdrawal process from the ICC on Thursday, in line with the country’s constitutional and international legal obligations. If completed, Hungary will become the only European Union country outside of the ICC.
The decision has sparked division within the EU. Some nations, such as Ireland and Spain, have expressed their willingness to arrest Netanyahu if he were to enter their territories, while others, including France and Germany, have questioned the ICC’s jurisdiction over Israel, which is not a member of the court. More than 120 countries have signed the Rome Statute, but some key global powers, including the US, China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, are not part of the ICC.
In addition to Netanyahu, the ICC also issued arrest warrants for former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, marking a significant moment as the court targeted top leaders of a key US ally. The ICC’s move follows a similar stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin, who faces arrest warrants for his role in the war in Ukraine.
