In a significant development, Hungary announced its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), as stated by Gulyás Gergely, the head of the Prime Minister's Office, during a press conference.

The announcement aligns with the planned visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Hungary, which has drawn international attention due to an ICC arrest warrant against him.

Hungary, a founding member of the court since the Rome Statute was adopted in 1998, is preparing to be the first European Union member state to exit the ICC, a move that has been characterized by Gulyás as a response to what the government perceives as the political nature of the court.

The statement referred to the court's recent decision to issue an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in relation to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.

This decision was labeled by Orbán and his administration as politically motivated.

In addition to the decision to withdraw, the Hungarian government has submitted a legislative proposal to the National Assembly to formalize the exit process.

Gulyás indicated that the parliamentary discussions on the withdrawal could commence by the end of April, with a vote scheduled for late May. Following the parliamentary approval, the United Nations will be notified of Hungary's withdrawal, which will take effect one year after the formal notice is given.

Hungary's government has expressed its dissatisfaction with the ICC, claiming that the institution has deviated from its intended purpose and has become politicized.

This sentiment was echoed in statements made by Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, who criticized the ICC's decision regarding Netanyahu's arrest warrant, calling it an example of the court's alleged bias and political motivations.

The Hungarian Prime Minister has previously criticized the ICC's actions, calling them unacceptable and implying that Hungary would not comply with any demands resulting from the arrest warrant.

This decision has prompted a range of reactions within Hungary and has been closely monitored by various international bodies.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary is significant, as it comes in the context of the ICC's actions.

While Hungary has not formally recognized the court's authority domestically—having never adopted the Rome Statute into national law—it now aims to eliminate any association with the ICC altogether by withdrawing from it.

This announcement marks a pivotal moment in Hungary's relationship with international judicial mechanisms and reflects broader tensions regarding the role of international courts in sovereign state affairs.

Critics of the move argue that it undermines the principles of accountability for international crimes, while supporters within the Hungarian government assert that it preserves national sovereignty against politically charged judicial actions.