Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's participation in the 80th anniversary commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz was overshadowed by an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and his ongoing criminal trial in Tel Aviv. While Netanyahu did not directly address the warrant, he accused the ICC of 'antisemitism' on social media. The ICC issued the warrant in November, alleging crimes against humanity related to Israel's actions against Hamas. Although Polish President Andrzej Duda had assured Israel that Netanyahu would not be arrested in Poland, Netanyahu's ability to travel was further complicated by his criminal trial, where he faces charges of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust.
Israel i Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's attendance at the Auschwitz memorial ceremony on Monday was overshadowed by an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court ( ICC ). While Netanyahu did not directly address the warrant, he took to social media to accuse the ICC of 'antisemitism,' stating, 'Founded in the shadow of the Holocaust, the ICC has disgraced itself with antisemitic attacks on Israel .
Hamas are the new Nazis, and we are committed to defeating them once and for all. The Jewish state will always stand as a safe haven for Jews worldwide.' The ICC issued the warrant in November, alleging that Netanyahu is responsible for crimes against humanity, including weaponizing starvation in Israel's fight against the terrorist group Hamas. The court does not have its own law enforcement capabilities and relies on member nations to enforce its decisions. Although many nations have expressed reluctance about arresting a sitting prime minister if he were within their jurisdiction, supranational institutions maintain that his arrest is non-negotiable. Josep Borrell, the European Union's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, stated, 'The states that signed the Rome convention are obliged to implement the decision of the court. It’s not optional.' Polish President Andrzej Duda had previously assured Israel that Netanyahu would not be at risk of arrest if he attended the Auschwitz memorial. However, Netanyahu's travel is further complicated by his ongoing criminal trial at the Tel Aviv District Court, which began in 2020. On Monday, Netanyahu appeared in court, calling the charges 'nonsense' and condemning the trial as a waste of time. He is facing multiple accusations of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust, stemming from alleged political favors offered to media moguls in exchange for positive press coverage and expensive gifts. Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan testified in 2023 that he regularly provided Netanyahu with luxurious items, including cigars, champagne, and designer clothes. Milchan admitted that the excessive gift-giving became routine as Netanyahu requested items using code words. Netanyahu is accused of receiving nearly $200,000 worth of gifts from Milchan over the course of their 'friendship.' Netanyahu also claimed that he was brought to trial while still recovering from prostate surgery late last year, which typically requires six weeks of recovery. 'In my case, the recovery did not go according to my doctors’ expectations and wishes because I was dragged or swept away against my will to deal with a flood of needs related to the release of the hostages and the events in Lebanon and elsewhere,' Netanyahu told the court. 'I am in the process of recovering, but I am not recovered yet.'
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