BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) 鈥� Hungary will begin the process of withdrawing from the International Criminal Court, an official said Thursday, just as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived to red carpet treatment in the country鈥檚 capital despite an arrest warrant from the world鈥檚 only permanent global tribunal for war crimes and genocide.
Prime Minister Viktor Orb谩n gave the Israeli leader a welcome with full military honors in Budapest鈥檚 Castle District. The two close allies stood side by side as a military band played and an elaborate procession of soldiers on horseback and carrying swords and bayoneted rifles marched by.
As the ceremony unfolded, Orb谩n鈥檚 chief of staff, Gergely Guly谩s, released a brief statement saying that 鈥渢he government will initiate the withdrawal procedure鈥� for leaving the court, which could take a year or more to complete.
Orb谩n later said that he believes the ICC is 鈥渁 political court.鈥�
Netanyahu makes second trip abroad since warrant
Netanyahu鈥檚 visit to Hungary, which is scheduled to last until Sunday, was only his second foreign trip since the ICC in November.
The ICC, based in The Hague, Netherlands, said when issuing its warrant that there was reason to believe Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had committed in connection with the war in Gaza.
The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages, most of whom have since been released in ceasefire agreements and other deals. Israel rescued eight living hostages and has recovered dozens of bodies.
The ICC also issued arrest warrants for three Hamas leaders who were later killed.
Israel鈥檚 offensive in Gaza has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, according to the enclave's Health Ministry, which doesn鈥檛 say whether those killed are civilians or combatants. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 militants, without providing evidence, and , shattering a ceasefire.
After the ICC issued the warrant, Orb谩n invited Netanyahu to Budapest, and accused the court of 鈥渋nterfering in an ongoing conflict for political purposes.鈥� That invitation was in open defiance of the court鈥檚 ruling and contradicted Hungary鈥檚 obligations as a signatory to arrest any suspects facing a warrant if they set foot on their soil.
All countries in the 27-member European Union, including Hungary, are signatories, but the court relies on member countries to enforce its rulings. in 2001 during Orb谩n鈥檚 first term as prime minister.
鈥楴o longer an impartial court鈥�
At a news conference following their meeting, Orb谩n said that he believes the ICC is 鈥渘o longer an impartial court, not a court of law, but a political court. And this was most clearly shown by the decisions regarding Israel.鈥�
鈥淚 am convinced that this otherwise important international judicial forum has been degraded into a political tool, with which we cannot and do not want to engage,鈥� Orb谩n said.
The Hungarian leader, regarded by critics as the EU鈥檚 most intransigent spoiler in the bloc鈥檚 decision-making, is seen as using some of the tactics that Netanyahu has been accused of employing in Israel: , antagonism toward and cracking down on .
During the news conference, where journalists weren't permitted to ask questions, Netanyahu praised Hungary鈥檚 decision, thanking Orb谩n for taking a 鈥渂old and principled decision.鈥�
鈥淭he ICC directs its actions against us fighting a just war with just means,鈥� Netanyahu said, calling Hungary "the first state that walks out of this corruption and this rottenness, and I think it鈥檒l be deeply appreciated, not only in Israel but in many, many countries around the world.鈥�
ICC has criticized Hungary
Netanyahu鈥檚 visit to Hungary was his second opportunity to travel abroad following the issuance of the warrant 鈥� the first was when he in Washington in February. It was also a chance to project an image of statesmanship while he faces mounting discontent at home.
He has faced mass protests by Israelis who fear his decision to resume the war in Gaza endangers the lives of the remaining hostages held by Hamas. He has also sparked anger by trying to fire or sideline top officials in what critics view as and an attack on state institutions.
Along with resuming its offensive in Gaza last month, Israel halted all imports of food, fuel and humanitarian aid to the territory鈥檚 2 million Palestinians to pressure Hamas to release more hostages and accept proposed changes to the truce agreement.
The ICC has criticized Hungary鈥檚 decision to defy its warrant for Netanyahu, with the court's spokesperson, Fadi El Abdallah, saying on Thursday that the court 鈥渞ecalls that Hungary remains under a duty to cooperate with the ICC.鈥�
Hamas said in a statement that it considers the move by Hungary an 鈥渋mmoral stance that shows collusion with a war criminal who is running away from justice.鈥� The militant group called on Hungary to reverse its decision and hand Netanyahu over to the ICC to stand trial.
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Molly Quell in Amsterdam and Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed to this report.
Justin Spike, The Associated Press
