Netanyahu, Orbán, and Trump discuss Hungary’s break with ICC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán held a joint call with US President Donald Trump to discuss Budapest’s landmark decision to end cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán spoke today, Thursday, April 3, 2025, with US President Donald Trump about Hungary's decision to leave the International Criminal Court and the further steps that may be taken in this regard," Netanyahu’s office announced, Caliber.Az reports via international media.

The Israeli leader is currently on an official visit to Hungary.

The announcement followed a statement from Gergely Gulyás, Chief of Staff to the Hungarian Prime Minister, confirming that the Hungarian government had decided to end its cooperation with the ICC. Gulyás justified the move by arguing that the court had strayed from its mission.

“In our view, the ICC has transformed from a judicial institution into a political body. Its activities have deviated from their original purpose, with politics replacing justice,” Gulyás said.

Hungary’s decision was strategically timed with Netanyahu’s visit to Budapest, reinforcing its steadfast support for Israel. Orbán has stood firmly behind Netanyahu amid the Israeli leader’s legal battle with the ICC. In November 2024, the court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Palestine. Orbán fiercely rejected the charges, calling the decision “absurd and disgraceful” and assuring Netanyahu that Hungary would not comply with the warrant.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Budapest, Netanyahu praised Orbán’s decision, hailing it as a “bold and principled step.”

“The ICC is a corrupt organization that is biased against the Jewish state,” Netanyahu declared, reiterating his long-standing criticism of the court.

Orbán’s government has been one of Israel’s closest allies in Europe, backing its military campaign against Hamas and opposing international efforts to prosecute Israeli officials. With Hungary’s formal rejection of the ICC’s authority, the country becomes one of the first in Europe to take such a stance, aligning itself closely with Netanyahu’s position.

By Tamilla Hasanova