Hungary has announced its intent to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), a decision that coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Budapest. Despite an active arrest warrant issued by the ICC for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza, Hungary welcomed him with full military honors.
During the visit, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s chief of staff, Gergely Gulyás, confirmed the government would begin the formal process of exiting the ICC, which could take over a year. Orbán defended the decision by claiming the court is politically motivated rather than a neutral body of justice.
This visit marks Netanyahu’s second trip abroad since the ICC issued a warrant for his arrest in November 2024, with his first being to Washington. Netanyahu is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israel’s military operations in Gaza following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023.
Hungary’s move to withdraw from the ICC during his visit demonstrates a clear act of solidarity. As one of the court’s founding members, Hungary’s shift represents a sharp departure from its longstanding commitment to international justice mechanisms.
ICC Warrants Intensify Global Debate Over Gaza War and Judicial Neutrality Claims
The ICC’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu stems from its investigation into the war that erupted following Hamas’ surprise assault, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 251 people. In response, Israel launched a large-scale offensive in Gaza that has reportedly killed over 50,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Hungary Begins ICC Exit During Netanyahu Visit, Signaling Support Amid War Crimes WarrantIsrael claims that 20,000 of the dead were militants. The ICC has also issued warrants for three Hamas leaders, all of whom have since been killed. These developments have intensified the scrutiny over the court’s handling of the ongoing conflict.
At a joint press conference with Netanyahu, Prime Minister Orbán criticized the ICC as lacking neutrality, calling it a “political court” that has lost credibility. He stated that Hungary no longer wishes to be part of an institution that he believes is being used as a geopolitical weapon. Orbán’s administration has often clashed with EU leadership, and critics accuse him of authoritarian tendencies, including efforts to undermine judicial independence—traits also linked to Netanyahu’s recent policies in Israel.
Netanyahu Praises Hungary’s ICC Withdrawal Amid Criticism, Protests, and Legal Challenges Worldwide
Netanyahu expressed gratitude to Orbán for what he called a “bold and principled” decision. He condemned the ICC for targeting Israel, which he said is waging a just war. Calling Hungary the “first state” to step away from what he views as a biased institution, Netanyahu framed the withdrawal as a moral stand that would resonate globally. The press conference, notably, did not allow questions from journalists, further underscoring the controlled messaging around this controversial diplomatic moment.
The ICC responded by reminding Hungary of its obligations as a member to enforce arrest warrants, with spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah emphasizing that Hungary remains duty-bound to cooperate. Hamas, in turn, labeled Hungary’s decision as immoral and accused it of aiding a war criminal.
Back in Israel, Netanyahu continues to face domestic protests over his handling of the Gaza war and allegations of undermining democratic institutions. Despite these controversies, the visit allowed him to project a sense of international legitimacy and support, even as global legal pressure mounts.