Hungary will quit its International Criminal Court membership (ICC) and will initiate the termination procedure "within the constitutional and international legal framework" on April 3, head of the Prime Minister's Office Gergely Gulyas announced at a regular weekly press briefing that day.

The announcement coincides with the start of a four-day official visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Budapest.

Gulyas argued that the ICC, once a respected institution, had "recently become a political body" and cited the court's decision to bring charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the "saddest example", calling it "unacceptable".

The minister further explained that Hungary had been in a "peculiar situation" since the national assembly had never ratified the ICC statutes, meaning the court’s jurisdiction had never been incorporated into Hungarian law. "Our position is clear: no one will be arrested or prosecuted in Hungary based on ICC mandates," Gulyas added.

Hungary's departure from the ICC aims to resolve this "questionable situation," the minister explained, noting that the government preferred withdrawing from the body rather than adopting its statutes into domestic law.

Gulyas also highlighted growing international concerns regarding the ICC's activities. He pointed out that major powers, including the United States, China and Turkey, have opted not to join the court. He also referenced bipartisan US efforts to sanction ICC judges and cited statements from Germany’s incoming Chancellor and Poland’s Prime Minister, both of whom have indicated they would defy the ICC's decisions on the Israeli leadership.

On November 1, the ICC issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant citing allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Hours later, Hungary’s veteran leader, a close ally of Israel, described the ICC's decision as "outrageously cheeky" and "cynical" and invited his Israeli counterpart for an official visit.

"Israel greatly appreciates that Hungary not only recognises the problematic nature of the ICC's decision, but is also prepared to take clear and decisive steps that demonstrate such a decision has no place in the world", the Israeli Embassy in Hungary said at that time.