Hungary will be the first EU member to withdraw from the ICC, a move seen as a direct response to an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu linked to alleged war crimes.
Hungary Announces Withdrawal from International Criminal Court Amidst Controversial Netanyahu Visit
Hungary Announces Withdrawal from International Criminal Court Amidst Controversial Netanyahu Visit
Hungary's government confirmed its exit from the ICC just as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu arrived for a state visit, raising questions about international law and justice.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban's administration has made waves with the official announcement of the country’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), coming just hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Budapest. Orban had invited Netanyahu following an ICC arrest warrant issued last November citing "reasonable grounds" for Netanyahu's alleged involvement in war crimes during the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The ICC, a global institution established to address war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity, counts 125 states as members, including Hungary, which was among its founding nations. However, with this decision, Hungary will stand as the first European Union country to exit the court. Other notable nations, including the US, Russia, China, and North Korea, have also opted-out and do not accept ICC jurisdiction.
Netanyahu has vehemently opposed the ICC’s accusations, labeling the court's actions as "antisemitic." Despite the arrest warrant, which technically obliges Hungary to detain Netanyahu, enforcement of such warrants by member states varies significantly. While some European nations expressed willingness to detain the Israeli leader, others, including Germany, clarified he would not face arrest if he entered their territories.
Hungary's Defense Minister welcomed Netanyahu upon his arrival at the Budapest airport, where military honors were conducted to mark the significance of his state visit. Prime Minister Orban is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu on Thursday. Amid this visit, Israel announced an escalation in its military actions in Gaza, responding to the ongoing conflict that erupted after Hamas attacks on October 7, resulting in substantial fatalities on both sides.
Israel’s ongoing appeal against the ICC warrants highlights the complex interplay between national sovereignty and international law, reminding observers of the delicate balance between diplomatic relations and justice. The ICC will now await formal written notification from Budapest to finalize its withdrawal, which will be enacted one year from submission, as stipulated by Article 127 of the Rome Statute.
