Netanyahu Faces Arrest Risk if He Attends 80th Anniversary of Auschwitz Liberation – One America News Network
OAN Staff Blake Wolf
12:41 PM – Monday, December 23, 2024
As the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz approaches on January 27th, Poland has made it clear that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “will be arrested” if he sets foot in the country, following an “International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.”
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The ICC has charged Netanyahu, along with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, with alleged “crimes against humanity” and war crimes associated with the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The ICC judges have stated that both men may be criminally liable for persecution, murder, and starvation during a “widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza.”
Countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute, which includes all European Union member states, are legally required to comply with ICC arrest warrants.
It’s uncertain which EU countries would take action to detain Netanyahu should he visit, as France and Italy have both indicated they would not carry out the arrests. Conversely, nations such as Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Lithuania, and Slovenia have confirmed they would arrest Netanyahu if given the opportunity.
This year’s Holocaust Remembrance Day event, which is anticipated to attract international attendance, is expected to include various leaders, including King Charles of Britain.
Rzeczpospolita, a Polish news outlet, reported that Israeli officials have not communicated with the Polish government regarding the event, leading Polish officials to suspect that this reflects Poland’s commitment to upholding international law.
Since the public announcement of the ICC’s arrest warrant, Netanyahu has not traveled to Europe. Besides Netanyahu and Gallant, the court also issued a warrant for Hamas leader Muhammad Deif, who Israel has confirmed is deceased.
Additionally, reports indicate that Israeli President Isaac Herzog does not plan to participate in the event in Poland, with Education Minister Yoav Kisch anticipated to represent Israel at the ceremony.
Meanwhile, Israel has vehemently denied the allegations leveling war crimes and crimes against humanity against Netanyahu and Gallant, asserting that the ICC lacks jurisdiction over its nationals. Israel argues that the significant civilian casualties are due to Hamas using civilians as “human shields” by concealing their operations beneath hospitals, schools, and densely populated areas.
The conflict escalated on October 7th, 2023, when Hamas launched an incursion into Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 individuals as hostages.
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