German Foreign Minister: We will abide by the Hague Court’s ruling on Netanyahu’s arrest.
According to Yahoo News, German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock has stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may face the risk of arrest if he visits Germany.
She, who attended the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Fiuggi, Italy, said: “The German government adheres to the law, because no one is above the law.”
These statements came after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants last Thursday for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Minister of War Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
According to the rules, member states of the International Criminal Court, including Germany, are obliged to execute arrest warrants issued by the court.
The Hague-based ICC announced on Thursday that it is seeking Netanyahu on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Gaza war. Israel and its allies, including the US, have condemned the move, although some countries have stated they would comply with the warrant, according to RT.“We adhere to the law at the national, European, and international levels,” Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated on Friday. “That is why we are examining exactly what this means for us regarding its international application,” she added. Germany is a signatory of the Rome Statute and recognizes the ICC’s authority, but Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s spokesperson indicated that Berlin is unlikely to comply with the warrant due to its “historical responsibility” to Israel.“On one hand, there is the importance of the International Criminal Court, which we strongly support; on the other hand, there is our historical responsibility,” German Government Spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said.
“I would be inclined to say that I have difficulty imagining that we would make arrests in Germany on this basis,” he continued. Netanyahu last visited Germany in March 2023, and another state visit is not expected shortly, “government politicians stressed, almost with relief”, Deutsche Welle wrote on Friday. While Israel is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, the court has jurisdiction over the West Bank and Gaza, considered occupied Palestinian territories under international law. The court’s jurisdiction is recognized by 123 countries, and Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant could face arrest if they travel to any of those nations.
