Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Wladyslaw Bartoszewski confirmed that if Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu visits Poland, he will be taken into custody based on the nation’s obligations to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Bartoszewski made these remarks during a Friday interview with the Polish economic and legal publication Rzeczpospolita, where the discussion centered on preparations for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, scheduled for January 27. Netanyahu, alongside former defense minister Yoav Gallant, faced charges from the ICC in November, relating to a series of alleged crimes. Countries that have ratified the Rome Statute are legally bound to execute ICC arrest orders.
The anniversary event is usually a significant state occasion. However, Israeli officials have refrained from confirming whether Netanyahu will be allowed to attend, and it appears unlikely that President Isaac Herzog will participate either. Education Minister Yoav Kisch is expected to represent the Israeli government at the ceremony.
Polish sources revealed to Rzeczpospolita that Warsaw is acting on these arrest warrants as part of its broader goal of holding Russian President Vladimir Putin accountable. In 2022, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin due to his involvement in the abduction of Ukrainian children from territories under Russian control.
All 27 member states of the European Union are signatories to the Rome Statute and are legally obliged to enforce arrest warrants issued by the ICC. So far, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is the only EU leader who has publicly declared that Netanyahu would not face arrest if he traveled to Hungary, even extending an invitation to him.
Initially, several EU countries announced they would arrest Netanyahu if he visited. However, some of them have since softened or completely reversed their positions. France, for instance, initially pledged to honor the arrest warrants but later reversed its stance following talks about a ceasefire in Lebanon, ultimately stating that Netanyahu would be granted diplomatic immunity.
Other EU nations have maintained their commitment to arresting Netanyahu regardless of his diplomatic status, including Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Lithuania, and Slovenia.
{Matzav.com}