The government adopted a special resolution on Thursday in response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveling to Poland for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz on Jan. 27.
“In connection with the planned ceremonies on Jan. 27, 2025, of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Former German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp Auschwitz-Birkenau in Oświęcim, the Polish government declares that it will ensure free and safe participation in these celebrations by the highest representatives of Israel,” the Government Information Center reported, as cited by Do Rzeczy.
As Remix News previously reported, questions surrounded Netanyahu’s attendance since he is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Poland’s president, Andrzej Duda, had sent a letter to Prime Minister Tusk asking for Netanyahu to be granted full protection.
Poland’s Council of Ministers have since assured that Israel’s head and other members of its government will not be arrested.
“The Polish government sees ensuring the safe participation of Israeli leaders in the ceremonies on Jan. 27, 2025, as part of paying tribute to the Jewish nation, millions of whose Daughters and Sons became victims of the Holocaust perpetrated by the Third Reich,” a statement reads.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also addressed the issue of the outstanding warrant. “On the one hand, we have the verdict of the international tribunal, and on the other hand, it has been obvious to me from the beginning that the prime minister, president or other representative of the state of Israel should have the full right and sense of security if they visit the Auschwitz concentration camp, especially on the anniversary,” he said.
“It is obvious to me that every representative of the State of Israel should have the right to visit, especially on the anniversary day. Therefore, the Polish government will ensure free and safe access to the highest representatives of the State of Israel to the celebrations on that day,” Tusk added.
In what proved to be an embarrassing tweet, the Polish Foreign Ministry allegedly slammed Mongolia for hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin, writing: “We regret that the president of Russia was in Mongolia, there is an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, and Mongolia is a party to the ICC. This visit undermines international criminal justice.”
The government quickly deleted the post.
