Poland Threatens to Arrest Netanyahu at Auschwitz Memorial

Whether just or not, the fact remains Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is legally considered a war criminal in 124 countries thanks to a disgraceful decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

It’s not just a title reserved for real war criminals like Russian dictator Vladimir Putin – it has already affected Netanyahu in tangible ways, as demonstrated by Poland’s stunning announcement Friday that it would arrest the Israeli leader if he attempts to enter the country.

“We are obliged to respect the decisions of the ICC,” Deputy Polish Foreign Minister Władysław Bartoszewski told the Polish daily Rzeczpospolita when asked if Netanyahu will be allowed to attend the upcoming 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz on January 27.

Bartoszewski tried defending his position by linking it to the country’s stance on Putin’s arrest warrant, though critics argue this creates a false equivalence between Israel’s defensive operations in Gaza and Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

Traditionally attended by Israel’s highest officials, the 80th anniversary at Auschwitz will now see only Education Minister Yoav Kisch representing the government.

He will be joined by French President Emmanuel Macron, Britain’s King Charles, Spanish King Felipe VI, and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who have all confirmed their attendance. Organizers await confirmation on who will represent the United States at the ceremony.

Responses across Europe have been fractured on how to handle the ICC’s warrant. France has maneuvered around the issue by invoking diplomatic immunity, while Hungary’s Viktor Orban has openly defied the warrants, explicitly inviting Netanyahu to visit.

However, multiple EU states including Spain, Belgium, and Ireland have declared they would enforce arrest orders regardless of diplomatic protections.

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