The Polish government adopted a resolution on Thursday ensuring that Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), can “freely and safely” attend the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz on 27 January.
On 21 November 2024, the ICC issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu and others, accusing them of crimes against humanity in connection with the 15-month war in Gaza. This means that ICC member states, such as Poland, are obliged to arrest them upon entry into their territory.
In a political decision that directly contradicts its ICC obligations, the government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, stated it would allow Israeli leaders to attend the event safely, citing its significance as “part of the commemoration of the millions of Jewish victims of the Holocaust.”
The decision also seems to be a concession to President Andrzej Duda, aligned with the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party. Duda sent an official letter to Tusk demanding that Israeli leaders be granted safe passage.
Poland’s traditional pro-Israel stance remains one of the few areas of consensus among politicians from major parties.
However, the issue may become irrelevant, as Israeli media reported that Netanyahu had not received an invitation. Additionally, the Polish Foreign Ministry informed Euractiv Poland that it had no information suggesting Netanyahu would attend. The ministry also dismissed allegations that Netanyahu could be arrested upon entering Poland as “fake news” propagated by U.S. media.
The Auschwitz-Birkenau camp, operated by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland, was liberated by the Red Army on 27 January 1945 during the Vistula-Oder Offensive. An estimated 1 million people were killed in the camp as part of the “Final Solution.”
