Polish President Andrzej Duda has requested special protection for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to attend the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz's liberation without risk of arrest, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday. The request comes amid international legal challenges facing the Israeli leader.
In a Jan. 8 letter to Prime Minister Donald Tusk reviewed by Bloomberg, Duda emphasized the need to ensure Netanyahu's presence would remain "unhindered" during his time in Poland, citing the "absolutely exceptional circumstances" of the commemoration.
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November, following allegations of war crimes in Gaza. The warrant came after the ICC's chief prosecutor's investigation into Israel's military operation against the Hamas terror organization.
The commemoration of the Nazi death camp's liberation is set for Jan. 27. When asked about Netanyahu's attendance plans, his spokesperson said no invitation had been received yet.
Duda's request potentially creates a diplomatic challenge for the Polish government. Poland's status as an ICC treaty signatory requires it to comply with the court's decisions regarding accountability for mass atrocity crimes.
Despite his frequent disagreements with Tusk's administration, Duda expressed confidence in the letter that the government could develop an "adequate formula" to guarantee Netanyahu's safety while respecting international law and honoring the significance of the Auschwitz liberation commemoration.
Neither the Polish government spokesperson nor the president's office provided immediate comment when contacted by Bloomberg about the matter.
