2
Sanda Schuldmann
15:56When you look at the photo, what do you see? I see 2 corrupt criminal dictators inflicting pain on their people, without feeling any guilt or shame.
Hungary Announces Withdrawal From ICC as Netanyahu Arrives for State Visit
The decision was made public during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's state visit, his first trip to Europe since an international arrest warrant was issued against him
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, right, smile during a welcoming ceremony with a guard of honor at Buda Castle in Budapest, Hungary, on Thursday.Credit: Denes Erdos/AP
BUDAPEST – The Hungarian government announced on Thursday that it has decided to withdraw from the International Criminal Court in the Hague, according to Gergely Gulyás, the chief of staff to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
The decision was made public during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's state visit to Hungary – his first trip to Europe since an international arrest warrant was issued against him by the International Criminal Court in The Hague last November. Hungary announced at the time that it would not enforce the arrest warrant.
The EU member state decided to quit the ICC because it has become political, as its decisions on issuing an ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu showed, Orbán said earlier.
Hungary leaving the International Criminal Court is a "bold and principled" decision, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday during a visit to Budapest.
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"The new leadership have done remarkable things for Israel and the Jewish people. You supported them proudly, unstimpingly," said Netanyahu, speaking alongside Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orbán.
Orbán said his country has zero tolerance for antisemitism and that its Jewish community has the best security in Europe.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán speaks to the media next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Budapest, Hungary on Thursday.Credit: Bernadett Szabo / Reuters
Hungary's government, led by the right-wing populist leader, extended the invitation to Netanyahu in November after the ICC, based in the Hague, Netherlands, issued the warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity.
Orbán, a close Netanyahu ally, has called the arrest warrant "outrageously impudent" and "cynical." Member countries of the ICC, such as Hungary, are required to detain suspects facing a warrant if they set foot on their soil, but the court has no way to enforce that and relies on states to comply with its rulings.
Netanyahu is expected to stay in Hungary through the weekend before returning to Israel on Sunday. In February, the prime minister left for Washington, where he met with President Donald Trump and senior administration officials. The flight left Israel on a Sunday, yet Netanyahu chose to extend his stay through the weekend.
1
Canadian
15:07the cost for hosting the PM of Israel is withdrawal from the International Criminal Justice system - just think about it !