Hungary Leaves World Court Over Israeli Leader’s Visit
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Hungary announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday, citing the court’s “unacceptable” attempt to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the final straw in what it views as the institution’s increasing politicization.
The announcement coincides with Netanyahu’s arrival in Budapest for a four-day diplomatic visit, marking his first European destination and second international trip since the ICC issued an arrest warrant against him in November for alleged war crimes.
Despite being a signatory to the ICC and technically bound to execute such warrants, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban had previously declared his intention to disregard the arrest warrant, even extending an invitation to Netanyahu to visit the country.
BREAKING: Hungary is to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, with the Hungarian Prime Minister branding it a 'political court'. https://t.co/TC2ROCL7wW
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Hungarian government minister Gergely Gulyás announced the withdrawal, stating, “The government will initiate the termination procedure on Thursday, in accordance with the constitutional and international legal frameworks.”
Gulyás explained that while the ICC began as an “honourable initiative,” it had significantly “deviated from the original purpose” through politicization. He specifically pointed to the Netanyahu arrest warrant as “the saddest example of this” and deemed it “unacceptable.”
🚨 Hungary Humiliates ICC, Exposes Anti-Israel Bias@PM_ViktorOrban Sides With Truth, Calls Out ICC’s Shameless Double Standards
Media Silent As Hungary Exits ICC, Condemning Political Targeting of Netanyahu and Israel. Court Is Weaponizing Justice.pic.twitter.com/nvpgt2xxKp
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Anticipating criticism from European quarters, the Hungarian government highlighted that several Western nations have taken similar stances. They noted that the United States is not an ICC member, while both Germany and Poland have publicly stated they would disregard the Netanyahu warrant to welcome the Israeli Prime Minister.
The Hungarian government also referenced France’s earlier indication that it would not enforce the warrant, echoing the United Kingdom’s initial legal position – before its new left-wing government’s reversal – that Israeli government ministers fall outside the court’s jurisdiction.
