Hungary to withdraw from 'political' ICC, says Orban

Hungary’s government has announced its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court ICC), shortly after Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in the country fora state visit.

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Hungary’s right-wing prime minister Viktor Orban invited his Israeli counterpart to Budapest in November, a day after the ICC issued a arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu over allegations of war crimes in Gaza, where Israel launched its offensive following an attack by Hamas on southern Israel in October 2023. Israel has rejected the accusations, which it says are politically motivated and fuelled by antisemitism.

In an announcement timed to coincide with Mr Netanyahu’s visit, Mr Orban said Hungary would withdraw completely from the ICC, an organisation set up more than two decades ago to prosecute those accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

“This is no longer an impartial court, a rule-of-law court, but rather a political court. This has become the clearest in light of its decisions on Israel,” Mr Orban said at a news conference with Mr Netanyahu, where they did not take questions.

“You stand with us at the EU, you stand with us at the UN, and you’ve just taken a bold and principled position on the ICC... It’s important for all democracies to stand up to this corrupt organisation,” Mr Netanyahu told Mr Orban.