The European Union’s (EU) top diplomat stated  that member nations of the EU cannot arbitrarily decide whether to enforce International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants issued for Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Since all EU countries have signed the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, they are bound by its terms. However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has invited Netanyahu to Hungary, providing assurances that no arrest would occur.
“The states that signed the Rome convention are obliged to implement the decision of the court. It’s not optional,” said Josep Borrell, the EU’s outgoing foreign policy head, during a visit to Cyprus.
Borrell also underscored that nations aspiring to join the EU must adhere to the same legal commitments. “It would be very funny that the newcomers have an obligation that current members don’t fulfill,” he remarked in an interview with Reuters.
The EU official criticized Israel sharply, stating, “Every time someone disagrees with the policy of one Israeli government – (they are) being accused of antisemitism. I have the right to criticize the decisions of the Israeli government, be it Mr. Netanyahu or someone else, without being accused of antisemitism. This is not acceptable. That’s enough.”
Borrell, who will complete his term as the EU’s foreign policy chief this month, has consistently condemned Israeli actions throughout the past year, especially concerning the Gaza conflict.
In January, he accused Israel of having “created” and “financed” Hamas, a claim he reiterated even after being questioned by journalists.
Borrell has also denounced Hamas for its tactics, saying the group uses “hospitals and civilians as human shields” in Gaza. At the same time, he has urged Israel to exercise “maximum restraint” to minimize civilian casualties in its conflict with Hamas.
In February, Borrell called on Israel’s allies, particularly the United States, to halt arms shipments to the country, arguing that “too many people” were losing their lives in Gaza.
{Matzav.com}