**ATHENS**
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday defended his country’s decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and also expressed full support for Israel, whose premier is wanted under an ICC warrant.
At a joint news conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Orban claimed the court had become “political.”
“It's political, and it is not unbiased, and this was clearly shown – mostly shown – by the decisions related to Israel,” he said.
Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary marks his first trip to Europe since the ICC issued an arrest warrant for him last November over allegations of war crimes in Gaza.
Orban claimed that Hungary is the safest country in Europe for Jews and said no form of antisemitism would be tolerated in the country.
“Hungary, in years past, has been an island of freedom in Europe, and we have been banner bearers of Judeo-Christian civilization,” he remarked.
Orban also argued that antisemitism has been rising in Europe and accused migrants of contributing to this trend.
He said he places special importance on bilateral relations with Israel and praised growing ties in defense, economic affairs, culture, and tourism.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, called on Hungary to arrest Netanyahu and hand him over to the ICC.
Last November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its military actions in Gaza, which have killed more than 50,000 people since the war began in October 2023.
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