Hungary has announced its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), coinciding with a visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom the court has indicted with an arrest warrant for war crimes in Gaza. The announcement came just hours after Netanyahu received a ceremonial welcome complete with military honors in Budapest, marking only his second trip abroad since the ICC issued the warrant.

As Prime Minister Viktor Orbán welcomed Netanyahu, he expressed disdain for the ICC, referring to it as "no longer an impartial court" but rather a "political court" that has deviated from its foundational purpose. Orbán's chief of staff, Gergely Gulyás, confirmed the initiation of the withdrawal process, stating that this step was taken "in accordance with constitutional and international law frameworks." The procedure for withdrawal is expected to take at least one year and would make Hungary the only EU nation not signed onto the ICC treaties.

The ICC is tasked with prosecuting serious international crimes, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Yet, the court relies on member states for the enforcement of its rulings, a facet highlighted by Hungary's refusal to detain Netanyahu despite its obligations as a signatory. This refusal stems from Orbán’s narrative that the ICC has become a political entity rather than an impartial judiciary.

Netanyahu, who has been accused of implementing starvation tactics against the civilian population during the Gaza conflict, has denounced the ICC's actions as politically motivated, attempting to undermine Israel’s right to self-defense. Hungary's decision comes in a context where Netanyahu has found a political ally in Orbán, both characterized by their contentious relationships with international legal standards.

The ICC's arrest warrant accused Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of war crimes linked to their actions in Gaza, where more than 50,000 Palestinians have reportedly lost their lives amid the ongoing hostilities since October 2023. The court insists that Hungary remains duty-bound to cooperate with it until the withdrawal is officially completed.

Critics of Orbán, who has been accused of undermining democracy and the rule of law in Hungary, view this move as further evidence of his alignment with leaders like Netanyahu and former President Donald Trump, both vocal opponents of the ICC. Trump's administration previously imposed sanctions against the court over its actions against Israel.

The implications of Hungary’s withdrawal resonate beyond national borders, drawing concerns from various international bodies and human rights organizations advocating for accountability in war crimes.

As this story develops, it seems the dynamics between justice and political alliances will continue to unfold in the context of international relations and human rights advocacy.

For further details, see the original articles from NY Times, Los Angeles Times, and ABC News.