On April 3, 2025, Hungary declared its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), coinciding with the official visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Budapest. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán criticized the ICC as a politicized institution, particularly in light of its arrest warrant against Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Orbán described the warrant as “brazen, cynical, and completely unacceptable,” emphasizing Hungary’s refusal to enforce it.
Gergely Gulyás, Orbán’s chief of staff, confirmed that the government would initiate the formal withdrawal process in accordance with constitutional and international legal frameworks. This decision positions Hungary alongside countries like the United States and Israel, which do not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction.
The move has elicited mixed reactions. Critics argue that it undermines international justice mechanisms and Hungary’s commitments under international treaties. The European Union has expressed regret over Hungary’s decision, noting that the withdrawal will take effect one year after formal notification and does not negate ongoing cooperation obligations during that period.
This development underscores escalating tensions over the legitimacy and authority of international judicial bodies in holding national leaders accountable for actions during armed conflicts.
