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The legislation passed by a wide margin in the 199-seat parliament, with 133 lawmakers supporting the measure, 37 opposing it and five abstaining.
By Shula Rosen
Hungary’s parliament voted Wednesday to reverse the country’s planned withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, a move with potential implications for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following ICC arrest warrants issued against Israeli officials last year.
The legislation passed by a wide margin in the 199-seat parliament, with 133 lawmakers supporting the measure, 37 opposing it and five abstaining.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar submitted the proposal earlier this week through an expedited parliamentary procedure.
The bill now requires the approval of President Tamás Sulyok before taking effect.
The decision reopened political divisions in Hungary over the country’s relationship with the ICC and its position toward Israel.
Magyar has indicated that Hungary would enforce ICC arrest warrants against any individual wanted by the court, including Netanyahu if he returns to Hungary in the future.
The issue became more politically sensitive after Magyar invited Netanyahu to Budapest later this year.
Opposition parties argued the invitation contradicted Hungary’s decision to remain part of the court.
Hungary’s previous decision to withdraw from the ICC was announced last year by then-Prime Minister Viktor Orbán during a visit by Netanyahu to Budapest.
Orbán, considered a close ally of the Israeli prime minister, backed the withdrawal after the ICC issued arrest warrants in 2024 against Netanyahu and additional Israeli officials over allegations tied to the war against Hamas in Gaza. The court also issued warrants against several Hamas leaders.
The ICC, founded in 2002 and supported by 125 member states, is based in The Hague and prosecutes individuals accused of the world’s most serious crimes.
The reports did not specify when Sulyok is expected to sign the legislation into law.
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