Hungary has announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), a decision that comes shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the country to meet with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Hungary, as a founding member of the ICC, is obligated to arrest and turn over anyone wanted by the court. However, Orban has described the warrant for Netanyahu, who is accused of war crimes in Gaza, as “brazen, cynical, and completely unacceptable.” Orban’s Chief of Staff announced that Hungary would begin the withdrawal process from the ICC on Thursday.
The decision to withdraw from the ICC was not unexpected, as Orban had questioned Hungary’s involvement in the court earlier in the year following President Donald Trump’s decision to impose sanctions on the ICC’s prosecutor. Orban’s Fidesz Party, which controls the Hungarian parliament, is expected to approve the bill to start the year-long withdrawal process. Orban has been a strong supporter of Netanyahu and has blocked EU actions critical of Israel in the past. Israel has rejected the ICC’s accusations, which stem from its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza in response to a terrorist attack that resulted in numerous casualties and hostages.
The ICC issued a warrant for Netanyahu and his former defense chief, Yoav Gallant, accusing them of crimes such as murder, persecution, and using starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza. The Palestinian Ministry of Health, run by Hamas, claims that over 50,000 Palestinians were killed during Israel’s assault on Gaza. The visit of Netanyahu to Hungary and the subsequent decision to withdraw from the ICC highlight the strong ties between the two leaders and their shared positions on international legal matters related to Israel’s actions in the region.
Despite being a founding member of the ICC, Hungary’s decision to withdraw reflects its alignment with the positions of Orban and Netanyahu on international issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The withdrawal process comes after Hungary’s questioning of its involvement in the court following sanctions imposed by the United States. Orban’s support for Netanyahu and quick dismissal of the ICC’s allegations demonstrate a shared perspective on the situation in Gaza and a rejection of international legal actions against Israeli officials. The decision is likely to be supported by Hungary’s parliament, given the control exerted by Orban’s party.
The visit of Netanyahu to Hungary and the subsequent withdrawal from the ICC highlight the complexities of international relations and legal obligations in cases involving allegations of war crimes. Orban’s strong support for Netanyahu and rejection of the ICC’s warrant reflect a broader alignment with Israeli positions on the conflict with Hamas. The decision to withdraw from the ICC is likely to have long-term implications for Hungary’s relationship with the court and its role in international legal mechanisms. The developments in Hungary underscore the challenges faced by countries in balancing international obligations with political considerations in a highly contentious and complex geopolitical environment.
