Thu Apr 03 10:35:01 UTC 2025: **Netanyahu Visits Hungary Amidst ICC Arrest Warrant; Hungary to Withdraw from Court**

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Budapest on Thursday for a state visit, despite an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against him in November. Hungary, defying the ICC, has announced it will begin the process of withdrawing from the court.

Netanyahu’s visit marks only his second foreign trip since the ICC warrant, which alleges he and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant used starvation as a method of warfare and intentionally targeted civilians in Gaza. Israel denies these charges.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán greeted Netanyahu with full military honors at Buda Castle. Orbán’s chief of staff, Gergely Gulyás, stated that the Hungarian government will initiate the withdrawal procedure from the ICC on Thursday. Orbán previously criticized the ICC’s warrant, accusing the court of political interference and undermining international law.

The ICC requires member states to arrest individuals with outstanding warrants, but relies on states’ cooperation for enforcement. Neither the United States nor Israel are members of the ICC. The U.S., under President Donald Trump, has imposed sanctions on the court for its investigations into Israel’s actions in Gaza. Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary follows a meeting with President Trump in February, where Trump proposed the resettlement of displaced Palestinians and U.S. involvement in Gaza’s redevelopment. Netanyahu is scheduled to remain in Hungary until Sunday.

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