Hungary says it will pull out of ICC as Orban hosts Israel's Netanyahu
9 days ago
- #International Relations
- #Hungary-Israel Relations
- #ICC
- Hungary announces withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing it as a 'political tool'.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has an ICC arrest warrant, visits Hungary and praises the decision.
- Netanyahu faces ICC arrest warrants for alleged war crimes, which he dismisses as 'absurd and antisemitic'.
- Hungary, as an ICC member, is obliged to arrest Netanyahu but instead welcomes him warmly.
- Hungary is one of Israel's strongest allies in Europe, with widespread pro-Israel sentiment among its population.
- The ICC relies on member states for enforcement, but Hungary's withdrawal could set a precedent.
- The EU is divided over the ICC's arrest warrants for Netanyahu, with some countries supporting and others questioning the court's jurisdiction.
- Notable non-members of the ICC include the US, China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.
- The ICC has also issued arrest warrants for top Hamas leaders, all of whom have been killed by Israel.