Hungary Quitting the ICC and Wallenberg’s Legacy

Hungary announced today its intent to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in defence of national sovereignty. PM Kovács criticized “external interference” with Hungary’s domestic legal affairs, stating that “we cannot allow foreign institutions to dictate the parameters of our judicial system.”

Hungary’s announcement demonstrates clear support for Israel, whom the ICC invariably vilifies, as Netanyahu visits the nation this week. Reflecting on Israel–Hungarian relations brings to mind the feats of Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, who saved tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews from systematic deportation in the final stages of World War II. The Swedish diplomat Wallenberg adhered to a higher moral law, forging protective Schutz-Passes, setting up safe houses, and securing right of passage through underhand tactics. Although these acts broke diplomatic protocols, history smiles upon Wallenberg, who has been remembered as “Righteous Among the Nations.”

Wallenberg exemplified the commandment, “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” Arriving in Budapest in July 1944, his ingenious “Schutz-Pass” provided immunity to fleeing Jews. Though he broke international law on countless occasions, his courage and righteousness defined Wallenberg’s actions.

The Torah reassures, “Be strong and courageous.” He confronted the machinery of death head-on. Wallenberg approached trains bound for the death camps, standing on the tracks to distribute Schutz-Passes and demand the release of those on board. His audacity often left the robotic German officers bewildered—typified as non-playable characters—compelling them to acquiesce in the heat of the moment. Wallenberg directly intervened during the brutal forced marches of Jews toward the Austrian border. With winter setting in and thousands being driven to their deaths, he drove alongside the columns, distributing food, medicine, and protective documents.

His actions contributed significantly to the slowing and eventual cessation of the mass murder of Hungarian Jews. In sum, he saved an estimated 100,000 lives. His interventions, though defying hitherto unquestioned conventions, embodied adherence to the Torah as the highest moral law, whose authority far supersedes that of the ICC—a parody of justice.