Orban meets Netanyahu and announces withdrawal from the ICC

Brussels (ANSA) – Hungary has announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court. The announcement comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in Budapest, against whom an arrest warrant for war crimes and crimes against humanity was issued by the ICC in November 2024. Hungary is the first EU member state to announce its withdrawal from the Court as well as the first to host the Prime Minister, without following the ICC’s decision.

“It has now become a political court,” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated, formalizing the break with The Hague. Netanyahu’s office explained that in a phone call from Budapest, the Israeli Prime Minister and Orban spoke with Donald Trump about Hungary’s decision and the “next steps” on the matter.

“I was the Prime Minister who signed the document of accession to the International Criminal Court and now I have signed the document for withdrawal. The reason is that it has become a political court,” Orban declared. “Yours is a courageous and principled decision. It is important to oppose this corrupt organization,” Netanyahu smiled. The reaction from The Hague Court was swift. “Hungary is obliged to cooperate,” was the warning from the international court’s spokesperson.

Additionally, the Assembly of the 125 States Parties to the Rome Statute, the legislative body of the Court, also spoke out. The decision to withdraw “clouds the shared pursuit of justice and weakens our determination in the fight against impunity,” emphasized the presidency of the Assembly. The Hungarian break comes at a very delicate moment for The Hague Court.

Attacked by Donald Trump on one side – with the threat of sanctions – and, on the other, grappling with the political effects of the arrest warrant against Netanyahu. A decision that, regardless of Hungary’s position, has divided Europe. Berlin, even in these hours, reiterated that the arrest of the Israeli Prime Minister in Germany would be “unimaginable.” And on the same line, Italy has also expressed itself in recent months (April 3).