The International Criminal Court (ICC) has called on Hungary to defend itself, stating that it has not implemented the arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to the ICC statement, the Pre-Trial Chamber of the Court invited Hungary to make its defense by May 23, 2025, in accordance with Article 87(7) of the Rome Statute. It was mentioned in the statement that the ICC Registry, upon finding that Netanyahu had visited Hungary on April 3, 2025, transmitted a request for provisional arrest in accordance with Article 92 of the Rome Statute, stating that Netanyahu stayed in Hungary until April 6 and left the country without being arrested. The Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC announced that an examination was initiated under Article 87(7) of the Rome Statute, which allows for findings to be made regarding countries that fail to cooperate with the Court. The statement recalled that the prosecution had applied for an arrest warrant against Netanyahu for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza on May 20, 2024, and that the Pre-Trial Chamber had issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and two others on November 21, 2024. If it is determined as a result of this inspection that Hungary has violated its obligations to the ICC, the Court will refer the matter to the Assembly of States Parties to take the necessary steps. Hungary had announced its decision to withdraw from the ICC during Netanyahu’s official visit. According to the Rome Statute, withdrawal becomes effective one year after notification to the UN Secretary-General. During this period, Hungary is required to maintain its obligations and, when necessary, implement arrest warrants. Similarly, the Philippines had decided to withdraw in 2018, but former President Rodrigo Duterte is still being tried at the ICC on charges before the withdrawal.