The Taoiseach has raised concern over Hungary’s intent to withdraw from the International Criminal Court. Hungary’s prime minister said the ICC, based in The Hague, The Netherlands, was a “political court” rather than an impartial body. He made the remarks as Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Hungary, where he was not arrested under a warrant which had been previously issued by the ICC. Hungary, as a current member of the ICC, would be required to arrest Mr Netanyahu under the terms of the warrant which found there is reason to believe they bear criminal responsibility for crimes perpetrated in the war in Gaza, including the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. The ICC does not have a mechanism to enforce this obligation on Hungary. The charges are denied by the Israeli officials. Viktor Orban has been accused of acting in ways that are antagonistic to the EU and has faced criticism for crack downs on civil society and human rights group. Asked about the development, Taoiseach MicheÁl Martin said: “I am concerned about trends within Hungary and there are procedures there in terms of dealing with member states who we believe have either transgressed the law or who are not really behaving in the full spirit of EU unity, or indeed adherence to EU treaties.” Mr Martin said Ireland fully supports the ICC and had provided significant, additional funding to the ICC, adding: “International rule of law is extremely important, and Ireland will continue to adhere to it.” He was speaking during a joint press conference with Ireland’s EU Commissioner Michael McGrath, who holds responsibility for rule of law. Mr Martin added: “There’s a step-by-step approach there, I know Commissioner McGrath has responsibilities in the area rule of law, and I’m very conscious of the citizens of Hungary, many of whom eagerly want to obviously remain within the European Union, want to be part of the European Union. “I’m always very conscious of that in terms of my engagement with our EU member states. “But it is a concern, we’ve fully supported the ICC. “We’ve provided significant funding, additional funding above any per capita contribution to the ICC. Mr McGrath said he had visited Hungary last week, adding that the Commission has “well documented” concerns for the rule of law there. “I had direct engagement with a range of civil society organisations and media bodies during my visit there, and I am concerned at much of what I heard. “I think there is a narrowing of the safe space for civil society organisations to operate within, and there’s also a real challenge to having a free and independent, pluralist media within the country, and that has a direct impact on the operation of the democratic institutions, holding people to account. “And that’s why the EU has had to, regrettably, use the tools at its disposal, and that has included withholding about 18 billion euro funding that should be made available to the people of Hungary who strongly support EU membership.” Mr McGrath said he regrets Hungary’s intent to withdraw from the ICC. “We need countries to support the system of international justice, and the ICC is at the heart of that.” In February, US President Donald Trump issued sanctions against the court for its investigations into Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza. Mr McGrath said: “I visited them in The Hague back in January. “They’re in a very challenging period at the moment, as you know, for different reasons, but unfortunately, this is another retrograde step from Hungarian Authorities, and let’s see what happens over the period ahead.” Mr Martin and TÁnaiste Simon Harris have both previously said that Ireland would arrest Mr Netanyahu under the terms of the warrant, should he enter its territory.