BUDAPEST, Apr 03 (V7N) — Hungary announced Thursday that it will withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), coinciding with Prime Minister Viktor Orban's meeting with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu in Budapest.

Orban, who has pledged not to enforce an ICC warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza, welcomed the Israeli prime minister with military honors. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar praised Hungary for taking a "clear and strong moral stance" in exiting the ICC.

The ICC insists Hungary remains obligated to cooperate with the court despite its decision to withdraw, a process that takes one year to finalize. Budapest, however, argues it is not bound by ICC rulings due to constitutional constraints.

Netanyahu’s visit, his first to Europe since 2023, is seen as an effort to counter the ICC charges and gain diplomatic support. Orban is expected to endorse Netanyahu’s stance on relocating Palestinians from Gaza, a plan aligned with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal.

END/WD/RH