BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary will start the method of withdrawing from the Worldwide Felony Court docket, an official mentioned Thursday, simply as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived to pink carpet therapy within the nation’s capital regardless of an arrest warrant from the world’s solely everlasting international tribunal for battle crimes and genocide.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán gave the Israeli chief a welcome with full army honors in Budapest’s Citadel District. The 2 shut allies stood facet by facet as a army band performed and an elaborate procession of troopers on horseback and carrying swords and bayoneted rifles marched by.
Because the ceremony unfolded, Orbán’s chief of employees, Gergely Gulyás, launched a quick assertion saying that “the government will initiate the withdrawal procedure” for leaving the court docket, which might take a yr or extra to finish.
Orbán later mentioned that he believes the ICC is “a political court.”
Netanyahu makes second journey overseas since warrant
Netanyahu’s go to to Hungary, which is scheduled to final till Sunday, was solely his second overseas journey because the ICC issued the warrant in opposition to him in November.
The ICC, primarily based in The Hague, Netherlands, mentioned when issuing its warrant that there was purpose to consider Netanyahu and former Israeli Protection Minister Yoav Gallant had dedicated crimes in opposition to humanity in reference to the battle in Gaza.
The battle started when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing round 1,200 individuals, largely civilians, and taking 251 hostages, most of whom have since been launched in ceasefire agreements and different offers. Israel rescued eight residing hostages and has recovered dozens of our bodies.
The ICC additionally issued arrest warrants for 3 Hamas leaders who had been later killed.
Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed greater than 50,000 Palestinians, in keeping with the enclave’s Well being Ministry, which doesn’t say whether or not these killed are civilians or combatants. Israel says it has killed round 20,000 militants, with out offering proof, and resumed its marketing campaign final month, shattering a ceasefire.
After the ICC issued the warrant, Orbán invited Netanyahu to Budapest, and accused the court docket of “interfering in an ongoing conflict for political purposes.” That invitation was in open defiance of the court docket’s ruling and contradicted Hungary’s obligations as a signatory to arrest any suspects dealing with a warrant in the event that they set foot on their soil.
All nations within the 27-member European Union, together with Hungary, are signatories, however the court docket depends on member nations to implement its rulings. Hungary joined the court docket in 2001 throughout Orbán’s first time period as prime minister.
‘No longer an impartial court’
“I am convinced that this otherwise important international judicial forum has been degraded into a political tool, with which we cannot and do not want to engage,” Orbán mentioned.
The Hungarian chief, regarded by critics because the EU’s most intransigent spoiler within the bloc’s decision-making, is seen as utilizing a number of the ways that Netanyahu has been accused of using in Israel: subjugation of the judiciary, antagonism towards the EU and cracking down on civil society and human rights teams.
“The ICC directs its actions against us fighting a just war with just means,” Netanyahu mentioned, calling Hungary “the first state that walks out of this corruption and this rottenness, and I think it’ll be deeply appreciated, not only in Israel but in many, many countries around the world.”
ICC has criticized Hungary
Netanyahu’s go to to Hungary was his second alternative to journey overseas following the issuance of the warrant — the primary was when he met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington in February. It was additionally an opportunity to venture a picture of statesmanship whereas he faces mounting discontent at residence.
He has confronted mass protests by Israelis who concern his resolution to renew the battle in Gaza endangers the lives of the remaining hostages held by Hamas. He has additionally sparked anger by making an attempt to fireplace or sideline prime officers in what critics view as an influence seize and an assault on state establishments.
Together with resuming its offensive in Gaza final month, Israel halted all imports of meals, gasoline and humanitarian support to the territory’s 2 million Palestinians to strain Hamas to launch extra hostages and settle for proposed modifications to the truce settlement.
The ICC has criticized Hungary’s resolution to defy its warrant for Netanyahu, with the court docket’s spokesperson, Fadi El Abdallah, saying on Thursday that the court docket “recalls that Hungary remains under a duty to cooperate with the ICC.”
Hamas mentioned in a press release that it considers the transfer by Hungary an “immoral stance that shows collusion with a war criminal who is running away from justice.” The militant group referred to as on Hungary to reverse its resolution and hand Netanyahu over to the ICC to face trial.
