Orbán Faces ICC Investigation After Refusing to Arrest Netanyahu in Hungary

As a party to the ICC's Rome Statute, Hungary is obliged to arrest suspected war criminals and send them to The Hague.

Orbán Faces ICC Investigation After Refusing to Arrest Netanyahu in Hungary
As a party to the ICC's Rome Statute, Hungary is obliged to arrest suspected war criminals and send them to The Hague.

In a shameless attempt to undermine international accountability for accused war criminal Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hungarian President Viktor Orbán graciously hosted the architect of Israel's 18-month genocide in Gaza on April 3.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is now formally investigating Hungary's blatant refusal to fulfill its legal obligation to arrest Netanyahu and send him to The Hague. States parties to the Rome Statute have a duty to cooperate with the court and facilitate the arrest of any ICC suspect who enters their territory. Although Orbán announced Hungary's withdrawal from the statute on April 3, it does not take effect for one year.

Hungary's move comes as more ICC members are threatening not to comply with their duties as well. Other U.S. allies in the European Union that are states parties to the Rome Statute - including France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Romania - have either indicated that they will refuse to uphold their obligations to arrest Netanyahu, or have refused to promise that they will enforce the court's arrest warrant.

Arrest Warrant for Netanyahu Alleges War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity

On November 21, 2024, Pre-Trial Chamber I of the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza from at least October 8, 2023 to May 20, 2024 (the day the ICC prosecutor applied for the warrants).