From the Liveblog of
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Polish president said to urge Netanyahu not be arrested if he attends Auschwitz memorial event
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Polish President Andrzej Duda has asked the country’s government to guarantee Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won’t be arrested if he attends a key Holocaust memorial event in the country later this month, Bloomberg reports.
Last month, Polish media reported that Netanyahu will avoid attending late January events marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp, fearing he may be arrested due to Poland’s commitment to respecting an ICC arrest warrant issued against the premier for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
In a letter sent yesterday to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Duda asks for Netanyahu’s potential stay to be “unhindered” due to the events’ “absolutely exceptional circumstances,” Bloomberg reports, saying it has seen a copy of the letter.
Duda calls on the Polish government to “devise an adequate formula” to both guarantee Netanyahu isn’t arrested and assure the country respects international law.
However, Bloomberg notes Duda has frequently been at odds with the Polish government, suggesting the latter may not cooperate with the president’s request.
Netanyahu’s office says the premier hasn’t been invited, but Polish officials reportedly believe that the lack of contact from Israeli counterparts is linked to fears he will be arrested.
Israel’s delegation at the event is set to be headed by Education Minister Yoav Kisch.
The Times of Israel Community.