Hungary's government announced on April 3, 2025, that it would begin the process of withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC) during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's state visit. The move comes after the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.
As a founding member of the ICC, Hungary is theoretically obligated to arrest and hand over anyone subject to an ICC arrest warrant. However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a staunch supporter of Netanyahu, has stated that Hungary would not comply with the decision, calling it "brazen, cynical, and completely unacceptable." Gergely Gulyas, Orban's chief of staff, stated that the ICC's Rome Statute was never integrated into Hungarian law, preventing the implementation of any ICC measures in Hungary.
The withdrawal process, which requires parliamentary approval and will take a year, signals a significant shift in Hungary's relationship with international law and institutions. Observers should watch for the parliamentary vote on the withdrawal bill and any further statements from the Hungarian government regarding its stance on international justice. The decision has sparked international debate about the role and effectiveness of the ICC and the obligations of its member states.
Viktor Orban had previously suggested reconsidering Hungary's membership in the ICC after the U.S. imposed sanctions on the Court's prosecutor, Karim Khan. The withdrawal reflects Hungary's broader alignment with countries critical of the ICC's jurisdiction and actions. The move is expected to further strain relations between Hungary and the European Union, which generally supports the ICC's mandate.