Former ICC chief criticized Poland's decision not to arrest Netanyahu during visit

Poland's decision not to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the warrant of the International Criminal Court, so that the politician could take part in events to mark the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, will greatly harm Warsaw in the international arena. Piotr Hofmanski, former head of the ICC, expressed this opinion.

"This is a purely political decision, the [Polish] government is clearly ignoring its legal obligations," he said in comments to Onet on January 9.

According to Hofmanski, if states refuse to fulfill their obligations to the ICC, it will call into question the very purpose of the court's existence.

The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Ministry chief Yoav Galant at the end of November 2024. The court ruled that they were responsible for war crimes against civilians.

In December, the Polish Foreign Ministry said that the republic was ready to execute the warrant. It was reported that because of this, the Israeli prime minister will not visit the country to participate in an event for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. On January 9, 2025, the Polish government promised to ensure Netanyahu's safety during a possible visit.

In 2005, the UN General Assembly signed a resolution on the creation of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust. Its date was determined to be January 27. On this day in 1945, the Red Army liberated Auschwitz (German name - Auschwitz), located on Polish territory. Over 1.1 million people were killed there during the camp's existence, including about 1 million Jews.