Official statements from the German government or news reports confirming a change in policy

Germany Will Not Arrest Netanyahu or Gallant, Citing Nazi History Amid ICC War Crimes Warrants

Nov 24, 2024, 02:40 AM

Germany has announced that it will not arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he enters the country, citing its historical responsibility stemming from Nazi actions during World War II. This decision comes in the wake of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Netanyahu, who is facing allegations of war crimes. German officials, including a spokesperson for Chancellor Olaf Scholz, emphasized that the country finds it 'hard to imagine' executing such arrests due to its Nazi history of persecuting Jews. Additionally, it was confirmed that former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will also not be arrested despite the ICC warrants. While European Union member states are generally obligated to enforce ICC rulings, Germany's unique historical context influences its stance on this matter.