Hungary's ICC exit amid Netanyahu visit sparks global discourse

• Hungary announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday, which was the topic of a phone conversation between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and U.S. President Donald Trump.
• Hungary’s decision is related to an arrest warrant for Netanyahu issued by the ICC in November 2024, accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
• Netanyahu is on an official visit to Hungary, where he met with Orban and plans further meetings with representatives of Hungarian Jewish organizations.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on an official visit to Budapest, had a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, the office of the Israeli head of government informed. The topic of the conversation was the decision announced the same day by Hungary to start the procedure of withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Netanyahu began his visit to Hungary on Thursday. In November 2024, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for the Israeli Prime Minister, accusing him of responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during military actions in the Gaza Strip.

By inviting Netanyahu, Orban expressed opposition to the Tribunal's decision and guaranteed him immunity. That same morning, the Hungarian government announced the formal start of the procedure to withdraw from the ICC.

During talks in Budapest, Netanyahu and Orban connected with Trump. According to the office of the Israeli Prime Minister, the discussion revolved around Hungary's decision to leave the ICC and potential further actions on the matter.

Hungary has repeatedly emphasized close ties with Israel, and Viktor Orban maintains friendly relations with Netanyahu. Following the start of Israel's war with Hamas, Budapest actively supported the Israeli side within the European Union, using its presidency in the EU Council in the second half of 2024 as leverage.

This is Netanyahu's second foreign visit since the ICC issued an arrest warrant for him. In February, he was received by Trump at the White House as the first foreign guest in the new term of the U.S. president.

After Thursday’s talks, Orban and Netanyahu appeared jointly before the media. The Hungarian Prime Minister described his country as "an island of freedom," while he referred to Israel as "the key to stabilization in the Middle East." Netanyahu thanked Hungary for the consistent and proud support that he believes they show Israel both within the European Union and at the UN. He also praised Budapest’s decision to exit the ICC.

In the evening, Netanyahu and his wife Sara attended a formal dinner. On Friday, the Israeli Prime Minister is set to meet with representatives of Hungarian Jewish organizations, visit a memorial commemorating Holocaust victims, and receive an honorary doctorate from the National University of Public Service. The visit will last until Sunday.