Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Hungary's capital early Thursday to red carpet treatment despite a warrant for his arrest issued by the world's top war crimes court.

Hungary's government has decided to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, it said on Thursday, shortly after Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, sought under an ICC arrest warrant, arrived in the country for a state visit.

Hungary would be the third country to withdraw from the Rome Statute, following Burundi and the Philippines. View on euronews

Hungary announced plans Thursday to withdraw from the International Criminal Court. Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas, made the declaration hours after Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu — who is sought under an ICC arrest warrant that accuses him of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza — arrived in Hungary for a state visit.

Once upon a time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strode the world with great confidence. His message for audiences back home, after another successful trip to Africa or Asia, would focus on how his hosts wanted Israel’s technology and admired its security.

Hungary to withdraw from International Criminal Court as it hosts Benjamin Netanyahu - The Israeli prime minister, sought under an ICC arrest warrant, arrived in Hungary on Thursday

Hungary’s government announced Thursday that it would withdraw from the International Criminal Court, just before Prime Minister Viktor Orban was to receive his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu despite an ICC arrest warrant against him.

It was only the second foreign trip Mr Netanyahu has made since the International Criminal Court issued the warrant against him in November.