The President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, asked the government to protect Benjamin Netanyahu from possible arrest if the Israeli Prime Minister participates in the country's celebration of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, writes Bloomberg. He stated that the Polish authorities must guarantee «unimpeded» presence of Netanyahu in the country, citing «completely exceptional circumstances». A letter with such demands, signed by the president, was sent to Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
When asked whether Netanyahu plans to attend the event, the Prime Minister's representative stated that no invitation had been received.
The commemorative events for the liberation of Auschwitz are scheduled for January 27. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the Israeli Prime Minister at the request of the ICC's chief prosecutor in connection with Israel's military campaign against Hamas, which is listed as a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union.
Duda's request may put the Polish government in an awkward position, notes Bloomberg. As a country that signed the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court, Poland is obliged to respect the decisions of this body.
Meanwhile, in September last year, Vladimir Putin, who also has an ICC warrant issued against him, visited Mongolia, which also signed the treaty establishing the ICC, and was not arrested.