Polish President Andrzej Duda has urged his government not to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he attend the upcoming Auschwitz liberation anniversary event. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November over alleged war crimes during the Gaza war, but Duda emphasized the importance of Netanyahu’s presence at the commemoration.
The event, marking 80 years since the Red Army liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau, is scheduled for January 27. Poland, as a signatory to the ICC, would theoretically be obligated to detain Netanyahu under international law. However, Duda has argued for an exception, stating, “Every person from Israel, every official from that country, should be able to take part in this unique event.”
Duda has sent a formal request to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to ensure Netanyahu’s participation if he chooses to attend. Tusk has not yet publicly responded.
The ICC’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif alleges war crimes, including the use of starvation as a method of warfare and crimes against humanity. Israel and its allies have strongly rejected these charges, denouncing the ICC’s actions as politically motivated.
The Auschwitz ceremony, which will include international delegations, honors the memory of over one million victims killed at the site, a symbol of Nazi Germany’s genocide during World War II. The Auschwitz Museum has stated that it is up to each country to determine its representatives for the event.
