House votes on sanctions against ICC for targeting Netanyahu

In January 2025, Poland prepared to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Auschwitz liberation, a significant event honoring Holocaust victims. Polish President Andrzej Duda urged his government to grant an exemption allowing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to attend the ceremony without the risk of arrest under the International Criminal Court's warrant, issued in November 2023 due to alleged war crimes. Netanyahu faced accusations related to the Gaza conflict, prompting Poland's stance, as it is obligated by its ICC membership to arrest individuals with outstanding warrants on its territory. The request followed frustration expressed by both Israeli and Polish officials regarding Netanyahu's travel restrictions due to ongoing tensions with the ICC. Duda's administration recognized the unique nature of the Auschwitz commemoration, asserting that any representatives from Israel, especially in leadership roles, must be able to participate without legal barriers. Moreover, the Polish Parliament endorsed a resolution vowing to ensure the safe participation of Israeli leaders during the memorial service. Relations between Poland and Israel gained attention amid rising tensions in the international community, particularly concerning human rights accusations against Israeli leaders. Poland, coping with its own historical complexities surrounding the Holocaust, emphasized the symbolic importance of allowing Israeli leaders to attend. Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski remarked that speculation over Netanyahu's potential arrest was unwarranted, as there was no confirmed intention for the prime minister to visit Europe following the ICC’s warrant. The atmosphere around the memorial services encapsulated broader geopolitical dynamics, including Poland's fluctuating relations with the ICC and the ongoing push by some U.S. lawmakers to sanction the international court over its activities against Israel. By facilitating Netanyahu's attendance, Poland aimed to repair and strengthen diplomatic ties while acknowledging the historical significance of the commemoration itself, thereby reaffirming its commitment to remembering the Holocaust and its victims in a shared gesture of solidarity with Israel.