The Hungarian government has decided to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), marking a significant shift in the country's international stance.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a key ally of Netanyahu, invited the Israeli leader to Budapest in November, just a day after the ICC issued the arrest warrant. The warrant was related to allegations of war crimes in Gaza following Israel's military actions against Hamas-led forces.
Israel has consistently rejected the accusations, describing the ICC's actions as politically motivated and antisemitic. The Israeli government argues that the ICC's legitimacy has been compromised by targeting a democratically elected leader engaged in self-defense.
Hungary, a founding member of the ICC, is theoretically obligated to enforce the court’s arrest warrants. However, Orban has made it clear that Hungary will not comply with the ICC's ruling, calling the warrant “brazen, cynical, and completely unacceptable.”
Though Hungary signed the Rome Statute, the founding document of the ICC, in 1999 and ratified it in 2001, the law was never enacted domestically. Gergely Gulyas, Orban's chief of staff, clarified in November that the ICC's provisions were never incorporated into Hungarian law, meaning the country has not enforced any ICC decisions.
On Thursday, Gulyas confirmed that Hungary would begin the process of withdrawing from the ICC. The decision follows comments by Orban earlier this year suggesting that Hungary reconsider its membership in the wake of U.S. sanctions imposed on the ICC’s prosecutor, Karim Khan.
The bill to start the year-long withdrawal process is expected to pass in Hungary’s parliament, which is controlled by Orban's Fidesz party.
Netanyahu has long enjoyed strong support from Orban, who has previously blocked EU actions critical of Israel. The relationship between the two leaders is underscored by shared political interests, especially in relation to the ICC and Israel’s ongoing security concerns.
The ICC’s arrest warrant against Netanyahu accuses him and former Israeli defense officials of committing war crimes in Gaza, including acts of murder, persecution, and starvation. The Israeli military's operations have resulted in significant loss of life, with over 50,000 Palestinians reported dead, according to Palestinian health authorities.
In addition, the ICC had issued a warrant against a Hamas leader in November, although the individual’s death was confirmed shortly after the warrant was made public.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced that Belgrade and Budapest are working towards establishing a comprehensive military alliance, following the signing of a document on Serbian-Hungarian strategic defence cooperation.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary signals diplomatic defiance as he travels despite an ICC arrest warrant. With Hungary rejecting the court’s ruling, the trip highlights shifting alliances while Israel presses ahead with its military operations in Gaza amid growing international pressure.
"Right in the middle of Europe, Hungary is proud of its Asian cultural roots and its close and friendly relationship with Türkiye", says Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary will build a direct high-voltage submarine cable connecting the South Caucasus region with the European Union, with a purpose to strengthen national and regional energy security.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s inner circle is advising him against speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin unless Russia commits to a full ceasefire in Ukraine, NBC News reported on Thursday, citing administration officials.
Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s investment envoy, is visiting Washington this week for talks with members of the Trump administration, sparking fresh speculation over behind-the-scenes diplomacy between Moscow and Washington.
A Russian drone strike hit residential buildings in Kharkiv late on Thursday, killing at least two people and injuring 32 others, Ukrainian officials said, as nightly attacks on the country's cities continue to mount.
In Sydney’s Bennelong, where Chinese Australians make up a large share of the electorate, the fight for votes is playing out on unexpected turf: Xiaohongshu.
Leaders from Central Asia and the European Union will meet in Samarkand on April 4 for the first-ever EU-Central Asia Summit, aimed at deepening ties. Talks will focus on trade, investment, green energy, and security — marking a new era of cooperation.
Aid groups in Myanmar’s worst-hit areas urgently need shelter, food, and water after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,700 people. Rescue efforts face challenges due to ongoing civil war, damaged infrastructure, and restricted aid access, with the toll expected to rise.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
The Armenian armed forces attempted three reconnaissance drone flights over Azerbaijan Army positions near Gerenzur, but all were successfully intercepted. Meanwhile, Armenian units repeatedly fired on Azerbaijani positions from multiple regions, escalating tensions in the area.
Apple marked its 49th anniversary by reaching a market capitalization of $3.3 trillion. Despite recent tech stock volatility, Apple's shares surged 28% in 2024.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s inner circle is advising him against speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin unless Russia commits to a full ceasefire in Ukraine, NBC News reported on Thursday, citing administration officials.
Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s investment envoy, is visiting Washington this week for talks with members of the Trump administration, sparking fresh speculation over behind-the-scenes diplomacy between Moscow and Washington.
A Russian drone strike hit residential buildings in Kharkiv late on Thursday, killing at least two people and injuring 32 others, Ukrainian officials said, as nightly attacks on the country's cities continue to mount.
In Sydney’s Bennelong, where Chinese Australians make up a large share of the electorate, the fight for votes is playing out on unexpected turf: Xiaohongshu.
The United States is relapsing into an old identity. In 2025, President Donald Trump revived the strategy that once defined the American economy — tariffs. For more than a century, from 1789 to 1913, tariffs powered U.S. government revenues and protected domestic industry.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s inner circle is advising him against speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin unless Russia commits to a full ceasefire in Ukraine, NBC News reported on Thursday, citing administration officials.
Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s investment envoy, is visiting Washington this week for talks with members of the Trump administration, sparking fresh speculation over behind-the-scenes diplomacy between Moscow and Washington.
A Russian drone strike hit residential buildings in Kharkiv late on Thursday, killing at least two people and injuring 32 others, Ukrainian officials said, as nightly attacks on the country's cities continue to mount.
In Sydney’s Bennelong, where Chinese Australians make up a large share of the electorate, the fight for votes is playing out on unexpected turf: Xiaohongshu.
Leaders from Central Asia and the European Union will meet in Samarkand on April 4 for the first-ever EU-Central Asia Summit, aimed at deepening ties. Talks will focus on trade, investment, green energy, and security — marking a new era of cooperation.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment