As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom the International Criminal Court has charged with war crimes in Gaza, was received by Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday, Hungary announced its intention to withdraw from the court.
Orban met Netanyahu in the capital city of Budapest during his first European visit since 2023, coinciding with the government’s announcement to begin the year-long pullout process.
The Israeli prime was greeted by Orban, who has pledged not to carry out an ICC warrant for Netanyahu, with military honors. The two leaders walked the red carpet before stopping in front of their respective flags.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar praised Hungary and Orban for taking a “clear and strong moral stance” by announcing its decision to withdraw from the ICC.
Orban invited Netanyahu last November, a day after the ICC issued an arrest warrant against the Israeli leader for crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The leaders are to hold a joint press conference at around 1:00 pm (1100 GMT) following their meeting.
The court’s ruling against Netanyahu, according to Orban, “intervenes in an ongoing conflict… for political purposes”.
The government “will initiate the withdrawal procedure on Thursday, in accordance with the constitutional and international legal framework,” according to Gergely Gulyas, chief of staff to the Hungarian leader.
A year after the withdrawal document, which is typically a formal letter announcing the pullout, is deposited with the UN Secretary General’s office, a state’s withdrawal becomes effective.
