Hungary quits ICC following conversations with Netanyahu and Trump

• Hungary has announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday, which became the subject of a phone conversation between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, 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 Orbán and plans to meet further with representatives of Hungarian Jewish organisations.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán 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, as informed by the office of the Israeli head of government. The topic was Hungary's decision to initiate the process 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 during military actions in the Gaza Strip.

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

During discussions in Budapest, Netanyahu and Orbán communicated with Trump. According to the office of the Israeli prime minister, the conversation focused on Hungary's decision to leave the ICC and possible future actions regarding this issue.

Hungary has consistently highlighted its close ties with Israel, and Viktor Orbán maintains friendly relations with Netanyahu. Following the onset of Israel's conflict with Hamas, Budapest actively supported Israel within the European Union, utilising its presidency in the EU Council in the latter half of 2024 as a point of influence.

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

After Thursday's discussions, Orbán and Netanyahu appeared jointly before the media. The Hungarian Prime Minister described his country as "an island of freedom," and referred to Israel as "the key to stabilisation in the Middle East." Netanyahu expressed gratitude to Hungary for what he perceives as consistent and proud support of Israel both within the European Union and at the UN. He also commended Budapest’s decision to withdraw from 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 organisations, visit a memorial commemorating Holocaust victims, and receive an honorary doctorate from the National University of Public Service. The visit will last until Sunday.