Belgian PM Says No EU Country Will Detain Netanyahu Under ICC Warrant
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has asserted that no EU country would enforce the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu. During Netanyahu's visit last week, Hungary revealed its plans to withdraw...
TroibNews 
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has asserted that no EU country would enforce the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu.
During Netanyahu's visit last week, Hungary revealed its plans to withdraw from the Rome Statute, the treaty that establishes the ICC's authority. The court, reliant on national jurisdictions to carry out arrests, has charged Netanyahu with war crimes related to the Gaza conflict.
De Wever, who leads the nationalist New Flemish Alliance and heads a five-party coalition, expressed his understanding of Hungary's stance during an appearance on VRT’s Terzake program, stating, “We would do that too, to be completely honest.”
He went on to emphasize the existence of realpolitik, noting, “I don’t believe there is any European country willing to arrest Netanyahu if he were on its soil.”
The ICC has criticized Hungary's actions, with spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah remarking that “Hungary remains under a duty to cooperate” with the judicial body.
Members of Belgium’s ruling coalition distanced themselves from De Wever’s remarks, indicating that he had not conferred with them beforehand. Meanwhile, opposition parties condemned the prime minister's stance, cautioning that he was stepping onto a “dangerous slippery slope” by making assertions they believe should be left to the judiciary and siding with “dubious European leaders who shamelessly disregard international law.”
In November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for allegedly committing serious offenses, including using starvation as a method of warfare, following a deadly raid by the Palestinian militant group Hamas in 2023.
Earlier this year, Warsaw extended safety guarantees to Netanyahu should he attend the 80th anniversary of the Red Army's liberation of Auschwitz. The Israeli prime minister opted not to make the trip.
Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated last week that he “cannot imagine” arresting Netanyahu if he were to visit Germany, while the French government has contended that the Israeli prime minister should enjoy diplomatic immunity under the Rome Statute, a viewpoint contradicted by the ICC.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
During Netanyahu's visit last week, Hungary revealed its plans to withdraw from the Rome Statute, the treaty that establishes the ICC's authority. The court, reliant on national jurisdictions to carry out arrests, has charged Netanyahu with war crimes related to the Gaza conflict.
De Wever, who leads the nationalist New Flemish Alliance and heads a five-party coalition, expressed his understanding of Hungary's stance during an appearance on VRT’s Terzake program, stating, “We would do that too, to be completely honest.”
He went on to emphasize the existence of realpolitik, noting, “I don’t believe there is any European country willing to arrest Netanyahu if he were on its soil.”
The ICC has criticized Hungary's actions, with spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah remarking that “Hungary remains under a duty to cooperate” with the judicial body.
Members of Belgium’s ruling coalition distanced themselves from De Wever’s remarks, indicating that he had not conferred with them beforehand. Meanwhile, opposition parties condemned the prime minister's stance, cautioning that he was stepping onto a “dangerous slippery slope” by making assertions they believe should be left to the judiciary and siding with “dubious European leaders who shamelessly disregard international law.”
In November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for allegedly committing serious offenses, including using starvation as a method of warfare, following a deadly raid by the Palestinian militant group Hamas in 2023.
Earlier this year, Warsaw extended safety guarantees to Netanyahu should he attend the 80th anniversary of the Red Army's liberation of Auschwitz. The Israeli prime minister opted not to make the trip.
Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated last week that he “cannot imagine” arresting Netanyahu if he were to visit Germany, while the French government has contended that the Israeli prime minister should enjoy diplomatic immunity under the Rome Statute, a viewpoint contradicted by the ICC.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
