Poland has declined to comply with an international arrest warrant for Israel’s prime minister.
Hundreds demonstrated in Warsaw on Friday, protesting Poland’s refusal to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is subject to an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.
In November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, on war crimes charges related to Gaza. On Thursday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s office confirmed that Poland would not arrest Netanyahu should he visit for the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation.
Protesters gathered outside the Presidential Chancellery, displaying Palestinian flags and anti-Netanyahu signs.
Protest przeciw polskiej ochronie dla Netanjahu idzie sprzed Kancelarii Prezydenta pod Ministerstwo Sprawiedliwości i Kancelarię Premiera. Jest kilkaset osób, skandują “aresztować Netanjahu”.
— Marcin Terlik (@MarcinTerlik)
The crowd chanted “arrest Netanyahu,” and accused Tusk and Polish President Andrzej Duda of “defending genocide.”
“Tusk i Duda bronią ludobójcy” teraz na proteście przeciw ochronie dla Benjamina Netanjahu przed Kancelarią Premiera.
— Marcin Terlik (@MarcinTerlik)
Lacking its own enforcement mechanism, the ICC relies on signatory states of the Rome Statute to execute its warrants. Poland is a signatory, while Israel is not. Netanyahu denies the war crimes allegations and rejects the court’s jurisdiction.
The Times of Israel reported Thursday, citing a Netanyahu aide, that the prime minister is not currently planning to attend the Auschwitz liberation anniversary ceremony. Attendance, the aide stated, hinges on Poland resolving the ICC matter.
On Thursday, the US House of Representatives approved potential sanctions against the ICC if it charges Americans or citizens of allied nations. The US also does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction and has not supported the warrant for Netanyahu.