Overview

• Hungary becomes the first European country to announce its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing the court's alleged politicization.
• The decision was made public during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's four-day visit to Hungary, his first European trip since the ICC issued an arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
• Netanyahu praised Hungary's move as a 'principled and courageous stance,' while Orbán framed the withdrawal as a defense of sovereignty and shared Judeo-Christian values.
• The visit included discussions on strengthening economic and military ties between Hungary and Israel, with both leaders emphasizing mutual support against international criticism.
• The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from EU officials and international observers, who view Hungary's withdrawal as a departure from shared European values on justice and accountability.