EU countries should detain Netanyahu, says Borrell
European Commission VP Borrell has emphasized the importance of the EU maintaining international law, specifically calling for the arrest of the Israeli Prime Minister and his former defense chief. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Last week, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense chief for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, has strongly urged member states of the European Union to adhere to the ICC's directive and arrest Netanyahu if he visits their territory, asserting that failing to do so would damage the bloc’s credibility.
On Thursday, the Hague-based ICC announced the warrants for Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas commander Ibrahim al-Masri, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Although Israel is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, which formed the ICC, the court maintains jurisdiction over the West Bank and Gaza, recognized by 123 countries globally, which includes all EU members.
Ahead of a G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Fiuggi, Italy, on Tuesday, Borrell stated, “all member states of the European Union have signed the Rome convention,” emphasizing that the ICC’s rulings are “not something that you can pick and choose. You cannot applaud when the court goes against [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, and remain silent when the court goes against Netanyahu.”
Borrell warned that if EU member states do not comply with the court's decision, it would be perceived as a case of double standards, potentially playing into the hands of the bloc’s detractors.
Earlier, Borrell expressed his “right to criticize the decisions of the Israeli government, be it Mr. Netanyahu or someone else, without being accused of anti-Semitism.”
On Friday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock remarked that Berlin is reviewing the implications of the court’s decision, while Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s spokesperson, Steffen Hebestreit, indicated that Germany is unlikely to act upon it, citing its “historical responsibility” to Israel.
French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine characterized the ICC’s warrants as a “complex legal issue,” without providing a conclusive response.
Countries including the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, and Norway have all stated their intention to fulfill their obligations under the Rome Statute.
Conversely, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized the court’s ruling and extended an invitation for Netanyahu to visit.
The ICC’s decision has also faced strong condemnation from both Israel and its key ally, the United States.
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, has strongly urged member states of the European Union to adhere to the ICC's directive and arrest Netanyahu if he visits their territory, asserting that failing to do so would damage the bloc’s credibility.
On Thursday, the Hague-based ICC announced the warrants for Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas commander Ibrahim al-Masri, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Although Israel is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, which formed the ICC, the court maintains jurisdiction over the West Bank and Gaza, recognized by 123 countries globally, which includes all EU members.
Ahead of a G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Fiuggi, Italy, on Tuesday, Borrell stated, “all member states of the European Union have signed the Rome convention,” emphasizing that the ICC’s rulings are “not something that you can pick and choose. You cannot applaud when the court goes against [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, and remain silent when the court goes against Netanyahu.”
Borrell warned that if EU member states do not comply with the court's decision, it would be perceived as a case of double standards, potentially playing into the hands of the bloc’s detractors.
Earlier, Borrell expressed his “right to criticize the decisions of the Israeli government, be it Mr. Netanyahu or someone else, without being accused of anti-Semitism.”
On Friday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock remarked that Berlin is reviewing the implications of the court’s decision, while Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s spokesperson, Steffen Hebestreit, indicated that Germany is unlikely to act upon it, citing its “historical responsibility” to Israel.
French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine characterized the ICC’s warrants as a “complex legal issue,” without providing a conclusive response.
Countries including the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, and Norway have all stated their intention to fulfill their obligations under the Rome Statute.
Conversely, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized the court’s ruling and extended an invitation for Netanyahu to visit.
The ICC’s decision has also faced strong condemnation from both Israel and its key ally, the United States.
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
