Hungary says it is withdrawing from ICC as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu visits Budapest

Hungary has announced its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court as the country's Prime Minister welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official visit to Budapest.

On Thursday local time, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared plans for Hungary to withdraw from the ICC, calling the court a "political" institution.

The announcement was made during Netanyahu's first visit to Europe since the ICC in May 2024 issued an arrest warrant against him and his former defense minister, as well as three top officials of Hamas for alleged war crimes.

Orban stated that the withdrawal process would begin immediately, involving legislative action and formal notification to the United Nations.

The procedure is expected to take about one year.

Netanyahu praised Hungary's decision, describing it as "bold and principled."