Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be arrested if he visits Germany , said the foreign minister of the country, Analena Berbok. This is reported by DPA, quoting her speech during the meeting of the G7 foreign ministers in the Italian city of Fiugi, quoted by BTA.
„The German government respects the law because no one is above the law”, Berbock emphasized.
On Thursday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant. They are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip.
Commitments of the member states of the ICC
Germany, as a member of the International Criminal Court, is obliged to execute arrest warrants issued by the court. This means that if Netanyahu or Gallant set foot on German territory, the authorities are obliged to take action to detain them.
Reactions and consequences
The ICC orders are part of a wider investigation into alleged war crimes in the Palestinian territories. They provoked a sharp reaction from Israel, which denies the court's legitimacy and claims that its actions are politically motivated.
This situation puts additional strain on international relations, as Germany and other EU countries will have to balance their commitments to international law and their bilateral relations with Israel.