BUDAPEST, HUNGARY — Something big just happened in Europe! Hungary announced on Thursday that it will quit the International Criminal Court (ICC)—a group of countries that work together to punish really serious crimes like war crimes and crimes against humanity.
This news came on the same day that Hungary’s leader, Prime Minister Viktor Orban, welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit the country. It’s a very important visit, because the ICC recently said Netanyahu might be guilty of war crimes in the war in Gaza.
What Is the ICC?
The International Criminal Court is like a world court. Countries who join it promise to help catch and judge people who hurt a lot of people—like during wars or large attacks.
But Hungary now says, “We’re leaving!” They’re starting a process that takes one full year to become official. This means they’ll send a letter to the United Nations saying they want to leave the group.
Why Did Hungary Make This Move?
Hungary’s leader Orban has refused to arrest Netanyahu even though the ICC says he should be. Instead, he treated Netanyahu like a special guest—welcoming him with military honors and walking down the red carpet together!
Orban believes the ICC’s decision was not fair. He said the court is interfering in an ongoing war and doing it for political reasons, not justice.
Netanyahu’s Plan: Travel Without Worry
Experts think Netanyahu is going to countries where he feels safe from arrest—like Hungary. His goal is to look strong, travel normally, and change the topic from all the problems he’s facing at home.
One expert, Moshe Klughaft, said:
“He wants to travel wherever he wants without fear. So now, he’s visiting countries that won’t arrest him.”
Even Germany said it would help make sure Netanyahu can visit there too.
What’s the ICC Accusing Netanyahu Of?
The ICC says Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant might have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. They are accused of using starvation as a weapon during the war with Hamas in Gaza.
This war started after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. It caused many people to suffer, especially civilians.
The ICC has no police of its own, so it needs countries to help arrest people. But Hungary says it isn’t fully bound by the ICC’s rules—so it doesn’t have to do what the court says.
Why Is This Visit a Big Deal?
After being invited, Netanyahu thanked Orban for supporting him. Orban is also expected to support a plan that would move millions of Palestinians out of Gaza to nearby countries like Egypt and Jordan—a very controversial idea.
Netanyahu is also facing many problems at home:
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People are upset about how he wants to change how judges are chosen.
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He’s in trouble because some of his staff may have taken money from Qatar.
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Two of his aides were even arrested.
So, this trip to Hungary helps him look strong and in control. As one expert said:
“This trip helps Netanyahu decide what everyone talks about.”
Why It Matters
This story shows how big world decisions—like quitting a global court—can be connected to friendships between leaders, wars in other countries, and legal battles.
Even if you’re a kid, it’s important to know how countries treat each other and how rules are sometimes followed—or not—by powerful people.
Would you like this turned into a YouTube script or infographic for kids next?
