Hungary has announced its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), Prime Minister Viktor Orban confirmed on Wednesday. This decision comes as Orban welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Budapest, despite the ICC issuing an arrest warrant against the Israeli leader.

Hungary Rejects ICC as a 'Political Tool'

During a joint press conference in Budapest, Orban justified Hungary’s move, stating that the ICC had been reduced to "a political tool" and that his government no longer wished to participate in it.

"This very important court has been diminished to a political tool, and Hungary wishes to play no role in it," Orban declared. Netanyahu, who is facing charges from the ICC, praised Hungary’s decision, calling it "bold and principled."

"This is important not just for us, but for all democracies… It’s important to stand up to this corrupt organisation," Netanyahu added. He suggested that Hungary’s move could encourage other countries to follow suit.

The two leaders made their statements without taking questions from the press.

Netanyahu’s First Visit to Europe Since ICC Warrant

This marks Netanyahu’s first trip to a European nation since the ICC issued an arrest warrant against him in May 2024. The court accused him of war crimes, including the use of "starvation as a method of warfare" and "crimes against humanity," such as murder and persecution.

Netanyahu has rejected the allegations, dismissing them as "absurd and antisemitic." His office previously condemned the ICC’s decision, describing the institution as "politically biased and discriminatory."

Hungary’s Support for Israel and ICC Withdrawal Process

Hungary has long been one of Israel’s strongest allies in Europe, with significant public support for Israel evident in Budapest. Posters and stickers commemorating victims of the October 7 attacks in Israel are commonly seen in the city, and yellow ribbons have been placed on a Holocaust memorial along the Danube River in solidarity with Israeli hostages.

Hungary’s State Secretary for International Communication and Relations, Zoltan Kovacs, confirmed that the country will begin the ICC withdrawal process on Thursday. He stated that the move aligns with Hungary’s "constitutional and international legal obligations."

The ICC has said it will issue a statement regarding Hungary’s decision later.

Hungary Set to Become the First EU Country to Exit the ICC

If Hungary proceeds with the withdrawal, it will be the only European Union member state to leave the ICC. The move highlights a divide within the EU regarding the court’s role. Some countries, such as Ireland and Spain, have pledged to arrest Netanyahu if he enters their territory, while others, including France and Germany, have questioned whether the ICC has jurisdiction over Israel, given that the country is not a signatory to the Rome Statute.

More than 120 nations have ratified the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC in 2002. However, several major global powers, including the United States, China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, have never joined.

ICC Warrants and Global Reactions

The ICC’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, issued in May 2024, marked an unprecedented step against the leader of a U.S. ally. This placed Netanyahu alongside figures like Russian President Vladimir Putin, for whom the ICC issued a warrant over Moscow’s war on Ukraine, and Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi, who was facing an ICC warrant when he was killed in 2011.

The United States, under both former President Joe Biden and current President Donald Trump, criticised the ICC’s decision to target Israeli officials. Trump took further steps against the ICC, imposing economic and travel sanctions on those investigating U.S. citizens and allies.

At the same time, the ICC also issued arrest warrants for three top Hamas leaders: Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri (known as Mohammed Deif), and Ismail Haniyeh. All three were later killed by Israel during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Hungary’s decision to withdraw from the ICC represents a significant political move that could impact the court’s authority within the European Union. As Netanyahu continues his visit in Budapest, Hungary’s support for Israel remains steadfast, reinforcing its alignment with nations skeptical of the ICC’s jurisdiction. The international community now watches closely to see if other countries will follow Hungary’s lead in leaving the ICC.