From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Italy tells Israel it won’t arrest Netanyahu under ICC warrant if he visits
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAmy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel
Italy has reassured Israeli officials that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not be arrested under an ICC warrant were he to visit the country.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar raised the issue during meetings in Rome yesterday with Italy’s foreign minister and justice minister, according to a source familiar with the discussions.
Sa’ar was assured by the ministers that the Italian government has received legal advice that heads of state, including Netanyahu, have immunity during visits to Italy, based on the Vienna Convention, the source says.
Last week, the Polish government said it would also ensure that Netanyahu would not be arrested were he to visit for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp later this month. Netanyahu does not currently have any scheduled visits to either nation.
The ICC in November issued warrants for Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the war in the Gaza Strip. Israel, however, is not a signatory to the Rome Statute nor a member of the ICC.
The Times of Israel Community.