Palestinians Criticize Hungary’s Withdrawal from ICC as Hamas Condemns Move
Hungary’s recent decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) has sparked outrage and condemnation from Palestinian authorities and human rights organisations around the world. This move comes at a critical time as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Budapest, marking his first trip to Europe since the ICC issued an arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Hungary’s announcement to exit the ICC came shortly after Netanyahu’s arrival, with Chief of Staff Gergely Gulyás stating that the withdrawal process would align with legal frameworks. This makes Hungary the third country to leave the Rome Statute, following Burundi and the Philippines. The Hungarian government criticized the ICC as a politically biased institution, pointing to the indictment of Netanyahu as evidence.
Palestinian groups, including Hamas and the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, condemned Hungary’s decision, calling it a betrayal of international justice. They accused Hungary of complicity with Netanyahu, a figure they labeled as a “war criminal on the run from justice.” Hamas urged Hungary to reverse its stance and hand over Netanyahu to the ICC for accountability over alleged massacres in Gaza.
Netanyahu is facing accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israel’s military actions in Gaza since October 2023, which have resulted in a significant number of casualties, particularly among women and children.
Human rights organisations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have also spoken out against Hungary’s withdrawal from the ICC. Amnesty International described the move as a betrayal of war crime victims and accused Hungary of sheltering a fugitive wanted by international justice. They criticized Hungary for implicitly supporting what they referred to as Israel’s genocide against Palestinians.
The backlash against Hungary’s decision underscores the importance of accountability and justice in global conflicts. As tensions continue to escalate in the region, the international community is closely monitoring developments and calling for responsible actions to uphold human rights and international law.
