Netanyahu’s visit to Budapest proceeds despite an ICC arrest warrant.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has stated that Hungary is still required to cooperate with the arrest warrant issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who arrived in Budapest on Thursday.
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israel’s ongoing military operation in Gaza. Despite Hungary’s prior statement that it would not detain Netanyahu, he proceeded with his visit on Thursday.
On Thursday, Budapest also announced the start of its official withdrawal from the ICC. Prime Minister Viktor Orban justified this move by alleging that the court in The Hague has become a “political tool.”
Concerning Netanyahu’s visit, ICC spokesman Fadi El Abdallah stated later that day that “the court recalls that Hungary remains under a duty to cooperate with the ICC.”
Reuters reported that Hungary’s full withdrawal from the ICC would likely take at least a year. Hungary originally signed the Rome Statute, the basis of the ICC’s authority, in 1999 and ratified it two years later.
Currently, 123 countries recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction. However, the court lacks its own police force and depends on member states to apprehend and transfer suspects.
Orban extended the invitation to Netanyahu the day after the arrest warrant was issued, assuring him that “if he comes, the ICC ruling will have no effect in Hungary, and we will not follow its contents.”
During a joint press conference on Thursday, Netanyahu commended Budapest’s “bold and principled” decision to withdraw from the court.
Netanyahu asserted that it is “important to stand up to this corrupt organization,” and expressed his belief that Budapest will not be the only nation to leave the ICC.
Last month, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) restarted airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza after negotiations with Hamas regarding the release of remaining hostages and a truce broke down.
According to the latest figures from Gaza’s Health Ministry, the IDF’s operations in Gaza, initiated in response to the deadly Hamas incursion into Israel on October 7, 2023, have resulted in at least 50,523 Palestinian deaths and 114,638 injuries.