Polish stance on Netanyahu's visit stirs international debate
President Andrzej Duda has requested a "guaranteed uninterrupted stay" for Benjamin Netanyahu in Poland, should the Israeli Prime Minister attend the 80th anniversary of the Auschwitz liberation. Donald Tusk supported his position. We reached out to the Palestinian Embassy for their comments on this matter.
Late last week, information surfaced about a letter from President Andrzej Duda requesting preparations for an uninterrupted visit for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This planning was in anticipation of his possible participation in the ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the German concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau on January 27th. The Polish government has guaranteed Netanyahu immunity.
It is important to note that the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for the Israeli Prime Minister. This action stems from military activities in the Gaza Strip that led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians, including many children. According to Israeli media, Benjamin Netanyahu will not travel to Poland. Instead, Education Minister Yoav Kisch is expected to attend the 80th-anniversary celebration of Auschwitz's liberation.
Protection for Netanyahu. Palestinian Embassy comments
Despite this, the issue has stirred significant emotions in Poland. The government faces accusations of inconsistency, as it previously criticised Mongolia for not executing the ICC warrant when Vladimir Putin visited the country. We sought feedback from the Palestinian Embassy in Warsaw regarding the actions of the government and the president.
Ambassador Mahmoud Khalifa met today with Poland’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrzej Szejna and expressed his concern regarding the Polish government's decision to provide protection to war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu. Ambassador Khalifa emphasized that the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the German Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau should be an opportunity to enforce the International Criminal Court's decision and arrest war criminal Netanyahu, rather than securing protection from accountability - reads the response from the Palestinian Embassy.
Ambassador Khalifa also expressed hope that the Polish presidency in the European Union will be more proactive in taking measures to prevent Israeli aggression and will advocate for a unified European effort towards achieving peace and stability in the region based on a two-state solution - stated the embassy in their response.
Finally, on behalf of the ambassador, it was stated that "ICC rulings must not be applied selectively." - Respecting ICC decisions cannot be demanded one day and disregarded the next - summarized the Palestinian Embassy.
The Supreme Bar Council stated that executing the warrant issued by the ICC is a judicial responsibility, not that of the president or prime minister. Unofficial reports have indicated that the Polish government wished to avoid jeopardizing relations with the United States by detaining the prime minister of a nation with strong US ties.
