European countries pledge to enforce ICC warrants against Netanyahu

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Several European countries, signatories to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), have expressed readiness to cooperate regarding the enforcement of international arrest warrants issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders over accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Meanwhile, Hungary has defied this decision by officially inviting Netanyahu.

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The Slovenian news agency STA reported that Prime Minister Robert Golob stated Slovenia would respect and fully comply with the ICC arrest warrants issued against Israeli and Hamas leaders.

On Thursday, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, and Ibrahim Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, a leader of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), for allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Gaza conflict.

In June, Slovenia became the latest European Union country to recognize the State of Palestine after its Parliament overwhelmingly approved the decision.

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Separately, a Cypriot government source stated Friday that Cyprus, despite its close ties with Israel, considers the ICC-issued arrest warrants legally binding.

“The decision is under review, and we have no comment for now. In principle, the Court’s rulings are respected and binding,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris also affirmed his country’s readiness to enforce the arrest warrant.
Asked by the national broadcaster RTÉ on Friday whether Netanyahu would be arrested if he visited Ireland, he replied: “Yes, absolutely. We support international courts and comply with the arrest warrants they issue.”

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In an unprecedented stance, a German government spokesperson stated on Friday that Berlin would carefully examine the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant but would take no further steps unless a visit to Germany was planned.

“The German government participated in drafting the ICC’s Rome Statute and is one of the Court’s strongest supporters – this stance is also a result of Germany’s history,” the spokesperson said.
However, they added: “At the same time, due to our history, we have a unique relationship and great responsibility towards Israel.”

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In a contrasting position defying the Court’s rulings, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose country holds the EU’s rotating presidency, announced Friday that he would invite Netanyahu to Hungary.

In an interview with the national radio, he stated: “We have no choice but to challenge this decision. I will invite Netanyahu to Hungary later today, where I can guarantee him that the Court’s ruling will have no effect.”

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Orbán called the decision “outrageous and disguised under judicial pretenses,” but in reality pursuing “political objectives,” adding that it “undermines the credibility of international law.”

According to Amos Harel, military analyst for the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, these arrest warrants pave the way for a potential arms embargo on Israel.

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