Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Hungary’s “bold and principled” decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) during a visit to Budapest on Thursday—his rare trip abroad despite an ICC arrest warrant against him.
Netanyahu, invited by Hungary’s right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, is wanted by the ICC for alleged war crimes in Gaza amid Israel’s expanding military campaign in the Palestinian territory.
Hungary has rejected the idea of detaining Netanyahu, denouncing the ICC warrant as “brazen.”
Coinciding with Netanyahu’s visit, Orbán announced Hungary’s full withdrawal from the ICC—a court established over two decades ago to try individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
“This is no longer an impartial court governed by the rule of law, but rather a political institution. This became clearest in light of its rulings on Israel,” Orbán said at a joint news conference with Netanyahu, though neither took questions.
According to Netanyahu’s office, the two leaders also held a conversation with former U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, discussing Hungary’s ICC exit and possible follow-up actions.
Orbán had invited Netanyahu to Budapest last November, just one day after the ICC warrant was issued in response to Israel’s military response to the October 7 Hamas attack in southern Israel.
Israel has dismissed the ICC’s charges as politically driven and rooted in antisemitism, arguing that the court undermined its legitimacy by issuing a warrant against the elected leader of a nation defending itself.
“You’ve stood with us in the EU, in the UN, and now you’ve taken a bold and principled stance on the ICC. It’s vital for all democracies to resist this corrupt institution,” Netanyahu told Orbán.
The ICC’s Assembly of States Parties expressed concern over Hungary’s decision, urging it via formal letter to remain a committed member of the Rome Statute, which founded the ICC.
EU Divisions on ICC
Netanyahu’s trip to Hungary marks his second foreign visit since the ICC warrant was announced, following a visit to Washington in February.
Although Hungary ratified the ICC treaty in 2001, it has not formally incorporated the obligations into domestic law. As a founding ICC member, it is technically obligated to arrest individuals under ICC warrants.
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp emphasized that until Hungary completes its withdrawal—a process that typically takes around a year—it remains bound by its ICC obligations.
The European Union is divided over the ICC warrant. Some members have affirmed they will comply with their ICC commitments, while Italy has voiced legal uncertainties and France has argued that Netanyahu enjoys immunity from ICC prosecution. Germany’s Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz indicated he would find a way to allow Netanyahu’s visit without risking arrest.
In addition to Netanyahu, the ICC also issued a warrant for Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif, whose death was confirmed post-warrant. Prosecutors had also sought warrants for Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, both of whom were killed before the requests were finalized.
The October 7, 2023 Hamas-led assault on Israel killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken, with 59 still believed to be held in Gaza, according to Israeli figures. In retaliation, Israel’s military operation has resulted in over 50,000 Palestinian deaths, according to health officials in Gaza.
Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organization by Israel, the U.S., and the European Union, condemned Hungary’s decision to exit the ICC.
