Hungary Withdraws from International Criminal Court (ICC)

boedapest - Hungary withdraws from ICC as Israeli PM Netanyahu visits amid arrest warrant. Orbán's aide confirms move. Impact on Netanyahu and ICC relations discussed.

Hungary Withdraws from ICC

Hungary withdraws from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, as confirmed by a close aide of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The move comes as the ICC seeks Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently visiting Hungary.

Arrest Warrant and Visit

• The ICC issued an arrest warrant in November against Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Despite Hungary's obligation to arrest and extradite him as an ICC member, this cannot be enforced.
• Hungarian Defense Minister welcomed Netanyahu at Budapest airport in the early hours, with Orbán extending the invitation after the arrest warrant.

International Relations

Netanyahu previously left Israel once after the warrant, meeting US President Trump. Both the US and Israel do not recognize the ICC's Rome Statute. Orbán considers withdrawing Hungarian recognition.