Hungary has once again demonstrated its unwavering support for Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, openly disregarding international law. Despite the active arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the Israeli leader, Viktor Orbán not only welcomed Netanyahu on an official visit but also announced Hungary’s withdrawal from the ICC.
As Neue Zürcher Zeitung recalls, Hungary ratified the Rome Statute — the ICC’s founding treaty — back in 2001 during Orbán’s first term. This means that, at the time of the visit, Hungarian authorities were legally obliged to arrest Netanyahu and hand him over to The Hague. However, as the outlet notes, the ICC lacks its own enforcement mechanisms and relies entirely on member states.
Orbán reacted sharply and unequivocally to the court’s decision:
“The decision of the court is fundamentally wrong and only adds fuel to the fire of the ongoing conflict,” he said, assuring that Netanyahu’s freedom and safety in Hungary were “guaranteed.”
Just after Netanyahu’s arrival in Budapest, Orbán went even further: Hungary formally announced it would begin the process of withdrawing from the ICC, citing the court’s increasing politicization. Netanyahu, in turn, praised the move during his visit, calling it “brave and consistent.”
The bond between Orbán and Netanyahu is rooted not only in political calculation but also in shared conservative worldviews and authoritarian leadership styles. Despite the Hungarian government’s tendency to downplay Budapest’s role in the Holocaust of 1944 and run campaigns tinged with antisemitic rhetoric—particularly against Hungarian-American investor George Soros—Hungary has become one of Israel’s closest allies in Europe.
According to Israeli media, Netanyahu also aims to use his visit to gain support for Trump’s controversial Gaza plan, which proposes the relocation of Palestinians from the coastal strip—a move widely considered to violate international law.
It’s worth noting that Hungary plays a marginal role in Middle Eastern politics. As Neue Zürcher Zeitung observes, Netanyahu’s primary goal is likely to show that the ICC warrant is being ignored even in Europe, where the court traditionally enjoys the strongest support. For Orbán, the visit is another opportunity to present himself as a provocateur who disregards international norms that don’t serve his interests.
However, despite Hungary’s withdrawal announcement, the country remains legally bound by ICC obligations: according to the Rome Statute, a withdrawal only takes effect one year after official notice is given. Thus, at the time of Netanyahu’s visit, the arrest warrant remained enforceable under Hungarian law. Still, Orbán’s consolidated control over the judiciary after nearly 15 years in power leaves little room for legal dissent. The erosion of rule of law in Hungary has even prompted the EU to freeze a significant portion of funding allocated to Budapest.
Other Leaders Also Invite Netanyahu
Orbán is not the only one facing backlash for his stance. In Germany, likely future Chancellor Friedrich Merz also invited Netanyahu for a visit, reportedly assuring him in a post-election phone call that Germany would “find ways” for the Israeli leader to come and go without consequence.
This sparked strong reactions in legal circles. In an open letter, 77 international law experts from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland reminded the public that all ICC member states are obligated to cooperate with the court, regardless of personal opinions on specific warrants.
Acting Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that he could not imagine Netanyahu being arrested on German soil. Observers suggest such statements further undermine the ICC’s credibility and raise concerns over selective enforcement of international justice.
Unlike the ICC arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin—which was met with bipartisan support in the U.S.—the case of Netanyahu has seen pushback even among Western allies. Just two months ago, Donald Trump’s administration imposed sanctions on the ICC, barring court officials from entering the U.S. and freezing any assets they might have there.
The controversy surrounding Netanyahu’s arrest warrant has become a major test for the International Criminal Court. Hungary has openly defied the institution, and other countries like Germany are sending mixed signals. This not only weakens the international legal order but also reinforces the view that the ICC is being used as a political instrument rather than a mechanism for impartial justice.
This article was prepared based on materials published by Neue Zürcher Zeitung The author does not claim authorship of the original text but presents their interpretation of the content for informational purposes.
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