Protests in Warsaw Over Polish Decision Not to Arrest Israeli PM Netanyahu

Hundreds gathered in Warsaw on Friday to protest the Polish government’s decision not to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes.

In November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, on charges related to alleged war crimes in Gaza. However, the Polish Prime Minister's office announced on Thursday that Netanyahu would not face arrest if he traveled to Poland for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, a Nazi concentration camp.

Protest przeciw polskiej ochronie dla Netanjahu idzie sprzed Kancelarii Prezydenta pod Ministerstwo Sprawiedliwości i Kancelarię Premiera. Jest kilkaset osób, skandują "aresztować Netanjahu". @OnetWiadomosci pic.twitter.com/UEpZyvQHVn

— Marcin Terlik (@MarcinTerlik) January 10, 2025

Protests Against the Decision
Demonstrators assembled outside the Presidential Chancellery, waving Palestinian flags and carrying posters with slogans critical of Netanyahu. The crowd chanted demands to “arrest Netanyahu” and accused Polish leaders, including Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda, of “defending genocide.”

Poland, a signatory to the Rome Statute that established the ICC, is technically obligated to enforce the court’s warrants. However, Israel is not a signatory and does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction. Netanyahu has denied the accusations of war crimes and reiterated that the ICC has no authority over Israel.

"Tusk i Duda bronią ludobójcy" teraz na proteście przeciw ochronie dla Benjamina Netanjahu przed Kancelarią Premiera. pic.twitter.com/6QwpmInJs2

— Marcin Terlik (@MarcinTerlik) January 10, 2025

Netanyahu’s Attendance Uncertain
Despite initial reports, Netanyahu is not currently scheduled to attend the Auschwitz commemoration, according to an aide cited by the Times of Israel. The aide indicated that Netanyahu might reconsider if Poland addresses the ICC arrest warrant issue beforehand.

International Reactions
The controversy comes amid broader tensions surrounding the ICC's jurisdiction and enforcement powers. On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill authorizing sanctions against the ICC if it charges U.S. citizens or those of allied nations. Like Israel, the United States does not recognize the ICC’s authority and has rejected the warrant for Netanyahu.

The decision by Poland not to arrest Netanyahu underscores the challenges faced by the ICC, which relies on signatory nations to enforce its rulings in the absence of an independent enforcement mechanism. The situation continues to provoke sharp debate on the intersection of international law, justice, and diplomacy.