WARSAW

Poland’s president has asked the government to ensure that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can take part in the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp without fear of arrest over war crimes in Gaza.

A top presidential aide confirmed on Thursday to Polish press agency PAP that President Andrzej Duda is waiting for a response from the government. “Any person from Israel, as well as a representative of its authorities, should be able to – if they wish – take part in this exceptional event," said Malgorzata Paprockashe.

On Thursday, the Times of Israel reported that Duda had asked the Polish government to provide protection from arrest for Netanyahu if he attends commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the notorious death camp run by Germany’s Nazi regime.

In November, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for a war crimes and crimes against humanity. States that have signed the Rome Statute – Poland among them – are legally obliged to execute ICC arrest warrants.

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Wladyslaw Bartoszewski said recently that if Netanyahu comes to Poland, he will be arrested in accordance with the country's obligations to the ICC.​​​​​​​