Hungary announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday, coinciding with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s state visit.
Netanyahu, facing an ICC arrest warrant over alleged war crimes in Gaza, was invited to Budapest by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close ally of Israel. Orban has called the ICC’s decision “brazen and unacceptable,” vowing not to enforce the ruling.
Hungary ratified the ICC’s Rome Statute in 2001 but never incorporated it into national law. Orban’s government said it would officially begin the withdrawal process later on Thursday.
The decision follows Orban’s February remarks questioning Hungary’s ICC membership after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on ICC prosecutor Karim Khan. Hungary’s parliament, controlled by Orban’s Fidesz party, is expected to approve the exit.
Netanyahu has long enjoyed Orban’s backing, with Hungary blocking past EU actions critical of Israel. The ICC’s warrant accuses Netanyahu of crimes including persecution and using starvation as a weapon in Gaza. Israel rejects the charges as politically motivated.
