Merz says will find a way for Netanyahu to visit without arrest
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The office of the Israeli PM said Merz invited Netanyahu to visit Germany "in defiance of the scandalous International Criminal Court decision."
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Friedrich Merz, the candidate of the mainstream conservative Christian Democratic Union party, reacts to the speech of Markus Soeder, leader of CSU and Minister-President of Bavaria, at the party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025 (AP)
Germany's likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that he invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Germany, emphasizing that he would find a way to host Netanyahu without having to arrest him as per the warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC)
"I think it is a completely absurd idea that an Israeli prime minister cannot visit the Federal Republic of Germany," Merz stated, adding that he told Netanyahu "that we would find ways and means for him to visit Germany and leave again without being arrested."
Netanyahu's office said the Israeli PM congratulated Merz.
It also said Merz had told Netanyahu he would invite him to Germany "in defiance of the scandalous International Criminal Court decision to label the prime minister a war criminal."
In response to Merz's invitation, the ICC said states have a legal obligation to "enforce its decisions," emphasizing that it is not up to them "to unilaterally determine the soundness of the court's legal decisions."
And since Germany is a signatory of the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court, it is required to arrest suspects on its territory.
Arrest warrants face opposition
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for the Israeli PM Netanyahu and his former Minister of Security Yoav Gallant on November 21 last year for war crimes, including the use of starvation as a method of warfare and murder, persecution, and other acts that constitute crimes against humanity.
The ICC reported that it faced coercion and intimidation after it issued the warrants, with ICC President Tomoko Akane pointing out the court endured "coercive measures, threats, pressure, and acts of sabotage."
The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán invited the Israeli PM, Netanyahu on January 23 to visit the country despite the arrest warrant, which obligates Hungary, and every signatory of the Rome Statute, to arrest Netanyahu.
The Hungarian Foreign Minister confirmed Orban's statements but did not clarify how Hungary would go about its legal obligation to arrest Netanyahu.
Italy and Poland also undermined the court's decision, affirming that the Israeli Prime Minister would not face arrest upon his arrival to either country in clear violation of the Rome Statute.
Italian officials confirmed to the Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar that, according to the Vienna Convention, heads of state visiting the country are granted immunity, while Poland told Netanyahu that he would not face arrest when he attends the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
