Poland ‘concerned’ over Hungary’s plan to quit ICC, reaffirms support for court

Poland is “concerned” by Hungary’s decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and reiterates its full support for the tribunal’s mission, the Polish Foreign Ministry has said.

A handout photo made available by the Hungarian Prime Minister's Press Office shows Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (C) receiving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) in the government headquarters in Budapest, Hungary, 03 April 2025.

EPA/ZOLTAN FISCHER

Hungary announced it would exit the ICC after the court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza.

“Hungary’s move weakens the Court, which is a central institution to combat impunity,” Poland’s Foreign Ministry wrote on Twitter, adding that Poland “continues to back” the ICC.

Z zaniepokojeniem odnotowujemy decyzję Węgier o zamiarze wypowiedzenia Rzymskiego Statutu MTK.

Decyzja osłabia Trybunał, który dla Polski jak i pozostałych państw UE jest centralną instytucją przeciwdziałającą bezkarności.

🇵🇱 zapewnia o stałym poparciu dla realizacji misji MTK.

— Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych RP 🇵🇱 (@MSZ_RP) April 3, 2025

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán – a close ally of Israel – described the ICC as “political,” citing the warrant for Netanyahu as evidence.

Budapest’s stance follows Poland’s own declaration earlier this year that it would not enforce the ICC order targeting Netanyahu ahead of ceremonies commemorating the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk has pledged that Netanyahu would be free to attend the events in Poland “without fear of arrest.”

Hungary and Poland have both emphasized friendly relations with Israel, with Orbán often stressing the alliance during Hungary’s European Council presidency in late 2024.

(jh)

Source: PAP, IAR