(Image: Prime Minister Orban on the left, Prime Minister Netanyahu on the right)
According to a report by the news agency Reuters, the Hungarian government has announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) during a visit of Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
The ICC has previously issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu over allegations of war crimes in Gaza. Despite the warrant, Hungary welcomed him for a state visit on Wednesday this week (02.04.2025).
Hungary is a founding member of the ICC, having signed its founding document in 1999 and ratified it in 2001. Despite not promulgating the law, Hungary was considered under the jurisdiction of the ICC, meaning they were obligated to arrest Netanyahu upon arrival.
The Hungarian government did not only refuse to execute the arrest, but, in a watershed moment, announced to the news agency MTI today, a day after the arrival of Israel’s leader, that they are withdrawing from the ICC altogether.
After progressively weakening relations between NATO member countries over the past four months, this deals another blow to the post-WWII global order, which was defined by the rule of international law, which institutions such as the ICC are meant to uphold “in a global fight to end impunity” (as the official website of the ICC states).
Authored by the PFP Editorial Staff
Last edited: 03.04.2025, 10:55 PM
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