ICC demands explanation from Hungary: 'Why didn't you arrest Netanyahu?'

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has requested a defense from Hungary for failing to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his recent visit to Budapest, despite an international arrest warrant issued against him for war crimes committed in Gaza.

In a statement released by the Hague-based international court regarding the matter, it was noted that it was confirmed that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was in Hungary on April 3, and that the court had transmitted a request for his arrest to Hungary on the same day in accordance with Article 92 of the Rome Statute.

The statement announced that the court intends to initiate proceedings against Hungary under Article 87, paragraph 7 of the Rome Statute, accusing the country of failing to comply with the court's request for cooperation and obstructing the court in the performance of its functions.

The ICC has given the Hungarian government until May 23, 2025, to submit its defense.

Despite the ICC's international arrest warrant, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu paid a four-day visit to the country in early April at the invitation of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Netanyahu, who is accused of being a co-perpetrator of numerous war crimes in Gaza—where tens of thousands of civilians, mostly women and children, have lost their lives since October 8, 2023—including starvation of the civilian population, persecution, and inhumane acts, was welcomed with a military ceremony in Budapest.

Hungarian Prime Minister Orban had claimed that the ICC had become politicized just before his meeting with Netanyahu on April 3, and announced that his country wished to withdraw from the International Criminal Court.

News Source: İHA