German chancellor rejects possibility of Netanyahu's arrest amid ICC warrant

Germany's Acting Chancellor Olaf Scholz has stated that he cannot envision Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu being arrested in Germany, despite the existence of an active arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his alleged involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In response to a question at a joint press conference with Jordan's King Abdullah II in Berlin, Scholz firmly rejected the possibility of arresting Netanyahu, who is currently wanted by the ICC over charges related to the ongoing conflict in Palestine, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

"I can't imagine that in Germany it would come to the point of arrest," Scholz said, when asked whether Netanyahu could visit Germany without fear of detention, following his visit to Hungary.

Netanyahu’s arrival in Budapest on April 3 marks his first visit to Europe since the ICC issued the arrest warrant in November 2024. The ICC accused Netanyahu of war crimes and crimes against humanity, specifically concerning his role in the conflict in Palestine. The arrest warrant has sparked significant international debate, especially within countries like Hungary, which has expressed its opposition to the ICC's jurisdiction.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has strongly criticized the ICC's decision, calling it "absurd and shameful."

Hungary's government announced that it will begin the process of withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC), coinciding with the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Budapest.

This marks the first time Netanyahu has set foot on European soil since the ICC issued an arrest warrant for him in May 2024.

The ICC warrant alleges that Netanyahu is criminally responsible for war crimes, including “starvation as a method of warfare” and “crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.” The court’s decision to issue the warrant was based on evidence that Netanyahu played a key role in actions during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Germany, a member of the ICC, is legally obligated to arrest individuals subject to valid warrants, but Scholz’s comments underscore the political sensitivities surrounding the issue.

By Vafa Guliyeva