Poland signalled to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he will not be arrested if he attends the eightieth anniversary commemoration marking the liberation of Auschwitz focus camp.
Any consultant of the Israeli management who needs to take part on January 27 can really feel protected and won’t be arrested, Prime Minister Donald Tusk mentioned, after cupboard agreed on the stance.
The Worldwide Legal Courtroom issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant late final yr, for alleged battle crimes and crimes towards humanity within the Gaza Strip.
Nonetheless, Netanyahu mentioned weeks in the past that he didn’t plan to attend the commemoration. Israel is because of be represented by its Schooling Minister, based on Tusk.
A spokesman for the Polish International Ministry additionally mentioned there was no indication that Netanyahu wished to attend the commemoration.
The memorial has mentioned delegations from 10 international locations have already confirmed their attendance.
Nazis killed greater than 1 million folks at Auschwitz, the German loss of life camp. They killed some 6 million Jews all through Europe throughout the Shoah, or Holocaust.
The court docket’s warrant sparked intense worldwide criticism as the primary worldwide arrest warrant directed in direction of a Western head of presidency.
Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands – the court docket’s host nation – mentioned instantly they might fulfil their obligations, which might imply arresting Netanyahu throughout any go to.
Others have been extra reserved, similar to France which mentioned it might respect the regulation whereas additionally questioning whether or not Netanyahu may take pleasure in immunity.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was unequivocal and demonstratively prolonged an invite to Netanyahu, saying he would ignore the warrant.
Earlier than the Polish cupboard’s determination, President Andrzej Duda appealed in writing to Tusk’s authorities to guard Netanyahu from arrest ought to he attend.
Tusk expressed clear annoyance at Duda’s initiative. Duda, from the most important opposition celebration PiS, has typically hampered the federal government previously.
Tusk mentioned Duda was conscious that the federal government was engaged on a decision to guard Israeli representatives on the commemoration. “There are issues that ought to be dealt with with discretion, particularly after they have such weight and are so sophisticated,” Tusk mentioned.
Poland’s prime minister emphasised that his authorities typically recognises the jurisdiction of the Worldwide Legal Courtroom.
“This determination issues the commemoration of the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. For us, it is rather essential that Poland doesn’t turn out to be one of many international locations overtly and demonstratively eager to defy the choice of worldwide courts,” he mentioned.
