Poland to 'protect Netanyahu' from ICC arrest warrant during Auschwitz visit

Leadership from Poland has previously stated that should Netanyahu enter the country, they would enforce the warrant.

By JOANIE MARGULIES JANUARY 9, 2025 15:20 Updated: JANUARY 9, 2025 15:22

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in front of Auschwitz (illustrative). (photo credit: Canva, Chaim Goldberg/Flash90, WALLPAPER FLARE)

Poland’s president has asked the Polish government to ensure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not at risk of arrest should he attend the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation, Bloomberg reported on Thursday morning.

President Andrzej Duda penned a letter to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasizing the need for Netanyahu’s visit to go smoothly, due to the “exceptional” nature of the event.

Netanyahu is at the heart of many arguments of whether or not to enforce the International Criminal Court (ICC)’s warrant for his arrest. Poland, an ICC signatory, would be required to follow protocol and arrest Netanyahu should he enter their country.

Polish President Andrzej Duda and Holocaust survivor Edward Mosberg attend the annual International ''March of the Living'' through the grounds of the former Auschwitz death camp, in Oswiecim, Poland April 28, 2022. (credit: REUTERS/KACPER PEMPEL)

Would the ICC warrant for Netanyahu's arrest be enforced?

Leadership from Poland has previously stated that should Netanyahu enter the country, they would enforce the warrant. This posed a challenge in terms of the 80th-anniversary event in honor of the liberation of Auschwitz.

President Duda’s request puts the country between a rock and a hard place. However, Duda has expressed confidence that a solution could be found to balance legal obligations with the event’s significance.  

Potwierdzam, że Prezydent skierował do Premiera pismo w sprawie zapewnienia możliwości udziału w obchodach 80. rocznicy wyzwolenia obozu Auschwitz Premierowi Izraela Benjaminowi Netanjahu, gdyby ten wyraził taką wolę. Zdaniem Prezydenta każda osoba z Izraela, każdy… https://t.co/GHECXihXfN

— Kancelaria Prezydenta (@prezydentpl) January 9, 2025

Multiple other countries and their respective leaders, including Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, have noted that they are either ignoring the warrant, or that they fully plan to enforce it. Orbán has already invited Netanyahu to Budapest despite the ICC warrant.

Both the Polish government and the president’s office declined to comment further.