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 crimson carpet therapy within the nation’s capital regardless of an arrest warrant from the world’s solely everlasting international tribunal for warfare crimes and genocide.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán gave the Israeli chief a welcome with full navy honors in Budapest’s Fortress District. The 2 shut allies stood aspect by aspect as a navy 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 courtroom, 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
Janos Kummer through Getty Photographs
Netanyahu’s go to to Hungary, which is scheduled to final till Sunday, was solely his second international journey for the reason that ICC issued the warrant towards him in November.
The ICC, primarily based in The Hague, Netherlands, mentioned when issuing its warrant that there was cause to consider Netanyahu and former Israeli Protection Minister Yoav Gallant had dedicated crimes towards humanity in reference to the warfare in Gaza.
The warfare 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 dwelling hostages and has recovered dozens of our bodies.
The ICC additionally issued arrest warrants for 3 Hamas leaders who have been later killed.
Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed greater than 50,000 Palestinians, in keeping with the enclave’s Health 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 courtroom of “interfering in an ongoing conflict for political purposes.” That invitation was in open defiance of the courtroom’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 international locations within the 27-member European Union, together with Hungary, are signatories, however the courtroom depends on member international locations to implement its rulings. Hungary joined the courtroom in 2001 throughout Orbán’s first time period as prime minister.
‘No longer an impartial court’
Janos Kummer through Getty Photographs
At a information convention following their assembly, Orbán mentioned that he believes the ICC is “no longer an impartial court, not a court of law, but a political court. And this was most clearly shown by the decisions regarding Israel.”
“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.
Throughout the information convention, the place journalists weren’t permitted to ask questions, Netanyahu praised Hungary’s resolution, thanking Orbán for taking a “bold and principled decision.”
“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
Mark Kerrison/In Photos through Getty Photographs
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 undertaking a picture of statesmanship whereas he faces mounting discontent at house.
He has confronted mass protests by Israelis who concern his resolution to renew the warfare in Gaza endangers the lives of the remaining hostages held by Hamas. He has additionally sparked anger by making an attempt to fireside 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 assist to the territory’s 2 million Palestinians to stress Hamas to launch extra hostages and settle for proposed adjustments to the truce settlement.
The ICC has criticized Hungary’s resolution to defy its warrant for Netanyahu, with the courtroom’s spokesperson, Fadi El Abdallah, saying on Thursday that the courtroom “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.
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Molly Quell in Amsterdam and Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed.
