Hungary announces its intention to leave the International Criminal Court while Netanyahu arrives in Budapest

By Justin Spike

Budapest, Hungary (AP) – Hungary will start the process of withdrawing from the International Criminal Court, said an official on Thursday, like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the treatment of the red carpet in the country’s capital despite an arrest warrant against the world world court for war crimes and genocide.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán welcomed the Israeli chief with complete military honors in the district of Budapest castle. The two nearby allies stood side by side while a military group played and an elaborate procession of soldiers on horseback and wearing swords and rifles with bayonette.

While the ceremony took place, the chief of staff of Orbán, Gergely Gulyás, published a brief statement saying that “the government would initiate the withdrawal procedure” for having left the court, which could take a year or more to finish.

Orbán later said that he thought that the ICC is “a political court”.

Netanyahu has made the second trip abroad since the mandate

Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary, which should last until Sunday, was only his second foreign trip since the ICC issued the mandate against him in November.

The ICC, based in The Hague, in the Netherlands, said during the publication of its mandate that there were reasons to believe that Netanyahu and the former Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant had committed crimes against humanity in connection with the war in Gaza.

The war began when fighters led by Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and taking 251 hostages, most of whom have been released in cease-fire and other agreements. Israel has saved eight living hostages and has recovered dozens of bodies.

The ICC also issued arrest mandates against three Hamas leaders who were then killed.

Hamas has been appointed a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada and the European Union.

The Israel’s offensive in Gaza killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, according to the Enclave Ministry of Health, who does not say if those killed are civilians or combatants. Israel says he killed around 20,000 terrorists, without providing evidence, and resumed his campaign last month, breaking a cease-fire.

After the ICC issued the mandate, Orbán invited Netanyahu to Budapest and accused the Court “of interfere in a current conflict for political purposes”. This invitation was in open mistrust of the court’s decision and contradicts the obligations of Hungary as a signatory to stop the suspects faced with a mandate if they set foot on their soil.

All the countries of the European Union of 27 members, including Hungary, are signatories, but the court is based on member countries to enforce its decisions. Hungary joined the court in 2001 during the first mandate of Orbán as Prime Minister.

‘Plus a impartial court’

During a press conference after their meeting, Orbán said he thought that the ICC was no longer “an impartial court, not a law court, but a political court. And it was most clearly shown by decisions concerning Israel. ”

“I am convinced that this otherwise important international judicial forum has been degraded in a political tool, with which we cannot and do not want to commit,” said Orbán.

The Hungarian leader, considered by criticism as the most uncompromising spoiler in the EU in the decision -making of the block, is considered to be used by some of the tactics that Netanyahu has been accused of location in Israel: the subjugation of judicial power, antagonism towards the EU and the fight against civil society and groups of human rights.

During the press conference, where journalists were not allowed to ask questions, Netanyahu praised Hungary’s decision, thanking Orbán for making a “daring and principle decision”.

“The ICC directs its actions against us fighting a just war with simple means,” said Netanyahu, calling Hungary “the first state that comes out of this corruption and this rotten, and I think it will be deeply appreciated, not only in Israel but in many countries of the world.”

ICC criticized Hungary

Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary was his second opportunity to travel abroad following the delivery of the mandate – the first was when he met US President Donald Trump in Washington in February. It was also an opportunity to project an image of the state spirit while it faces dissatisfaction at home.

He faced mass demonstrations by Israelis who fear that his decision to take over the war in Gaza puts the lives of the remaining hostages held by Hamas in danger. He also triggered anger by trying to dismiss or senior touch officials in what criticism consider as a takeover and an attack on state institutions.

In addition to resuming its offensive in Gaza last month, Israel interrupted all imports of food, fuel and humanitarian aid to the 2 million Palestinians in the territory to put pressure on Hamas to release more hostages and accept modifications proposed to the truce agreement.

The ICC has criticized Hungary’s decision to challenge its mandate for Netanyahu, with court spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah, saying Thursday that the court “recalls that Hungary remains under the obligation to cooperate with the ICC”.

Hamas said in a statement that he considered the move of Hungary as an “immoral position which shows a collusion with a war criminal who flee justice”. The group called on Hungary to cancel its decision and give Netanyahu to the ICC to be tried.

Molly quell in Amsterdam and Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed.

Originally published: April 3, 2025 at 10:39 a.m.