NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 27: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the United Nations headquarters on September 27, 2024 in New York City. World leaders convened for the General Assembly as the world continues to experience major wars in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, along with a threat of a larger conflict in the Middle East. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

Allowing Israel’s indicted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu safe passage to a Holocaust memorial service in Poland next Tuesday would “make a mockery” of Europe’s commitment to the International Criminal Court, according to Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign affairs chief until last month.

Netanyahu is wanted by the ICC for alleged war crimes committed during Israel’s 16-month war on Gaza, including using starvation as a method of warfare; deliberately attacking civilians; murder; and persecution. His former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant faces the same charges.

Yet Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk last week waived his country’s legal obligations as an ICC signatory to arrest Netanyahu, instead offering the Israeli leader unhindered travel to the 80th Auschwitz memorial service on January 27.

“It would be a grave mistake for the Polish EU Presidency to welcome Netanyahu to an official Holocaust memorial ceremony,” Borrell, who stood down as head of the European External Action Service last month, told The Intercept. “This would make a mockery of the EU’s strong commitment to the International Criminal Court, which the EU27 unanimously reaffirmed in June 2023.” ….more