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Poland Seeks Safe Passage for Netanyahu to Attend Auschwitz Liberation Anniversary Amid ICC Warrants
ICC Arrest Warrants Against Netanyahu and Others
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former defense minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri. The charges include alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas. Israel has condemned these warrants, asserting that its actions were in self-defense during the conflict triggered by Hamas’ cross-border attack on October 7, 2023.
President Duda’s Appeal to Guarantee Attendance
Polish President Andrzej Duda has requested the government to ensure that Netanyahu can attend the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Nazi death camp without the risk of arrest. In a letter to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Duda emphasized the significance of the Auschwitz commemoration and the importance of Israeli representatives being able to participate freely.
Malgorzata Paprocka, head of Duda’s office, confirmed the letter’s existence and stated that the president was awaiting a response. Duda underscored the symbolic importance of allowing Israeli representatives to attend the event, given Auschwitz’s historical context.
Tense Political Context
Relations between President Duda, a right-wing nationalist, and Prime Minister Tusk’s centrist, pro-European government have been strained since Tusk’s administration took office in December 2023. Tusk’s office has not commented on the president’s request.
Netanyahu’s Plans Unclear
Netanyahu has not announced whether he will attend the January 27 commemoration. He has participated in previous Auschwitz anniversary events. When asked if Netanyahu would be guaranteed safe passage, Polish Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski remarked that the issue was moot since Netanyahu is not planning to travel to Europe.
A spokesperson for Netanyahu declined to comment on the matter.
Historical Significance of Auschwitz
Auschwitz, established by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland during World War II, was the site where over 1.1 million people, primarily Jews, were murdered through gas chambers, starvation, cold, and disease. The Holocaust resulted in the deaths of over three million of Poland’s 3.2 million Jews, accounting for nearly half of the six million Jews killed during the genocide.