Hungary has announced its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), becoming the first European Union nation to do so.
A senior official in Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government confirmed the move just hours after Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Hungary for a state visit.
Orban had invited Netanyahu in November, shortly after the ICC issued an arrest warrant against the Israeli leader. At the time, Orban stated that the ruling would have “no effect” in Hungary.
The governing body of the ICC voices regret and concern over Hungary’s announcement that it is leaving the court, saying any departure harms a “shared quest for justice.”
“When a State Party withdraws from the Rome Statute (that established the ICC), it clouds our shared quest for justice and weakens our resolve to fight impunity,” the presidency of the Assembly of State Parties says in a statement.
In November, ICC judges ruled that there were “reasonable grounds” to believe Netanyahu bore “criminal responsibility” for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the war between Israel and Hamas. Netanyahu has condemned the ICC’s decision as “antisemitic.”
The ICC prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Hungary, a founding member, will now begin the formal process of withdrawal by submitting written notification to the UN Secretary General. The exit will take effect in one year, as outlined in Article 127 of the Rome Statute. However, ongoing ICC proceedings will not be affected.
During a joint press conference, Orban criticized the ICC as a “political court” and said the warrant against Netanyahu “clearly showed” this. Netanyahu praised Hungary’s decision, calling it “bold and principled.”
“It’s important for all democracies. It’s important to stand up to this corrupt organisation,” Netanyahu said.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also thanked Orban on X for his “clear and strong moral stance alongside Israel.
“The so-called International Criminal Court lost its moral authority after trampling the fundamental principles of international law in its zest for harming Israel’s right to self-defence.”
