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Hungary to Exit International Criminal Court Amid Netanyahu Visit
Budapest has announced it will commence the process of withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC), coinciding with an official visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is the subject of an ICC arrest warrant. The timing of Hungary’s decision to leave the ICC, the global court for war crimes, has drawn international attention, especially given Netanyahu’s presence in the country.
Government Confirms Withdrawal Procedure
Gergely GulyĂĄs, the chief of staff to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor OrbĂĄn, stated, “Hungary will withdraw from the ICC.” He further elaborated, âThe government will launch the withdrawal process on Thursday, adhering to the constitutional and international legal framework.â This declaration confirms the government’s firm intention to exit the international body.
Netanyahu’s Visit and Arrest Warrant Context
The announcement materialised shortly after Prime Minister Netanyahu’s arrival in Budapest. Netanyahu has been under an international arrest warrant issued by the ICC since November, stemming from allegations of war crimes in Gaza. He was received at Budapest airport early Thursday morning by Hungaryâs defense minister, highlighting the ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two nations despite the legal complexities surrounding Netanyahu.
Legal and Political Steps for Withdrawal
Exiting the International Criminal Court, of which all 27 European Union members are a part, necessitates the passage of legislation through the Hungarian parliament. Given the strong majority held by OrbĂĄnâs Fidesz party, the bill is expected to pass. However, the entire withdrawal procedure is anticipated to take up to a year to complete, signifying a potentially lengthy period before Hungary’s departure is finalised.
OrbĂĄn’s Invitation and ICC Legitimacy Questioned
Prime Minister OrbĂĄn extended an invitation to his Israeli counterpart to visit Hungary the day following the ICC’s issuance of the arrest warrant. The Hague-based ICC, recognized as the sole permanent global tribunal for adjudicating war crimes and genocide, has faced criticism from Israel, which dismisses the warrant as politically motivated and rooted in antisemitism.
Netanyahu’s administration has further asserted that the court has forfeited its legitimacy. Israel argues the warrants against a democratically elected leader defending his nation following the October 2023 attacks by Hamas militants constitute an overreach and undermine the courtâs purpose.
Hungary’s Stance on ICC and Enforcement
While Hungary, having signed the ICCâs founding statute in 1999 and ratified it in 2001, should technically be obligated to apprehend and extradite individuals with ICC warrants, Budapest has maintained that the relevant law was never formally enacted into Hungarian legislation.
GulyĂĄs previously asserted late last year that because the incorporation into Hungarian law “was never made part of Hungarian law,” ICC measures are not legally enforceable within Hungary. Prime Minister OrbĂĄn has echoed this sentiment, dismissing the ICC ruling as âbrazen, cynical, and completely unacceptable,â indicating a clear defiance of the courtâs authority.
Prior Indications of Potential Withdrawal
Hungary’s Prime Minister OrbĂĄn had previously indicated a potential departure from the ICC on several occasions. In November, he informed reporters that he would âguaranteeâ that the ICCâs determinations would âhave no effect in Hungary.â
Further underscoring his skepticism towards the court, OrbĂĄn remarked in February, âItâs time for Hungary to review what weâre doing in an international organisation that is under US sanctions,â referencing the sanctions imposed by Donald Trump’s administration on the ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan.
Hungary-Israel Alliance and Political Alignment
Viktor OrbĂĄn has cultivated a robust relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu over many years, viewing the Israeli Prime Minister as a key ally who shares similar nationalist and sovereigntist ideologies. Hungary has consistently acted to obstruct EU statements or sanctions targeting Israel, demonstrating a clear alignment in foreign policy.
Netanyahu’s International Travel Amidst Warrant
This visit to Hungary marks Netanyahuâs second international trip since the ICC arrest warrants were issued against him, his former defense minister, and Hamas leader Ibrahim al-Masri. In February, Netanyahu traveled to the United States, which, like Israel, is not a member state of the International Criminal Court.
ICC Charges Against Netanyahu
When issuing the arrest warrant, ICC judges stated there were reasonable grounds to believe that Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense chief bear criminal responsibility for actions including murder, persecution, and starvation as a method of warfare, outlining the grave nature of the allegations against the Israeli leader.