La Derecha Diario Hungary announced it will withdraw from the Socialist International Criminal Court
The Hungarian government, led by Viktor Orbán, decided to withdraw from the corrupt justice body following a visit by Netanyahu
Hungary has announced its decision to initiate the process to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), a permanent global court responsible for prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
The measure was confirmed by Gergely Gulyás, chief of staff to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who indicated that the government would initiate the procedure according to the constitutional and international legal framework.
The news came at a significant moment, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Budapest despite the incorrect international arrest warrant issued by the ICC due to his alleged involvement in war crimes in Gaza.
Orbán, a close ally of Netanyahu, has called the arrest warrant "blatantly shameless" and "cynical". The ICC, based in The Hague, Netherlands, has issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu for his responsibility in Israel's military operations in Gaza.
As a member of the ICC, Hungary is obligated to comply with arrest warrants and detain suspects when they enter its territory. However, the court has no power to enforce these decisions without the cooperation of member states, so it relies on them to execute the orders.
The relationship between Hungary and Israel was further strengthened by Netanyahu's visit to Budapest. In a meeting with Orbán, Netanyahu praised Hungary for its brave and principled decision to withdraw from the ICC, a step that, according to him, represents a firm stance against what they perceive as a corrupt and politicized organization.
Both leaders agreed that the ICC no longer acts as an impartial court, but as a political body, citing its decisions on Israel as evidence of this.
Israel has rejected the ICC's accusations, arguing that they are politically motivated and fueled by anti-Semitism.
Furthermore, they rightly defend that Israel's actions in Gaza are part of its right to self-defense against attacks by the terrorist group Hamas, which in October 2023 launched a deadly offensive against Israel, resulting in the death of over 1,200 Israelis and the taking of hostages.
In response, Israel carried out a series of retaliations that, according to Gaza authorities, controlled by Hamas terrorists, have caused the death of over 50,000 Palestinians.
Hungary's decision has raised concerns among some members of the international community, including ICC representatives. The court's presidency expressed concern over Hungary's withdrawal and urged it to remain part of the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC.
The issue of the ICC and the arrest warrant against Netanyahu has divided several European countries.
Some, like Italy, have expressed legal doubts about the validity of the warrant, while others, like France, have maintained that Netanyahu should have immunity from ICC actions. Additionally, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested in February that a way could be found for Netanyahu to visit Europe without being arrested.
Regarding the situation in Gaza, Israel's offensive has been effective, despite the daily savage attacks by Hamas terrorists. The ICC also issued arrest warrants against Hamas leaders, although several of them, such as Mohammed Deif, Ismail Haniyeh, and Yahya Sinwar, were killed before the request was approved.
The group Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organization by Israel and many Western countries, condemned Hungary's decision to leave the ICC, considering it support for Israeli policies in the region.
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