Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may skip next month’s 80th-anniversary commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz, due to concerns over a potential arrest. Sources in Poland indicate Netanyahu’s decision is linked to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes committed during the Gaza conflict. As Poland is a member state of the ICC, it is obligated to honor such warrants, putting Netanyahu in a difficult position.
The ICC’s November arrest warrants targeted Netanyahu, his former defense minister, and several Hamas officials, escalating Israel’s diplomatic isolation. Despite this, Israel and its key ally, the U.S., are not parties to the Rome Statute and have criticized the court’s actions. Netanyahu labeled the warrant a “dark day in the history of humanity” and an “antisemitic step,” calling it an attempt to undermine Israel’s right to self-defense.
While Netanyahu may stay home, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog will also miss the event, with Education Minister Yoav Kisch stepping in as the country’s representative. The ceremony, set for January 27, 2024, at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, will be attended by leaders from around the world, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Poland remains firm in its commitment to the ICC’s ruling, with Deputy Foreign Minister Władysław Bartoszewski stating the country will respect the decision. Meanwhile, Israel has filed appeals challenging the ICC’s jurisdiction and procedures, heightening tensions on the international stage.
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