netanyahu will be arrested if he goes to italy western countries divided

The arrest warrant of the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has thrown EU countries into a diplomatic dilemma. While Italy said it was obliged to comply with the ICC ruling and arrest Netanyahu, some other EU member states took a more cautious stance. ICC member Italy has stated its legal obligation to comply with the arrest warrant. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto acknowledged that Italy would have to arrest Netanyahu if he entered Italian territory.

However, Crosetto said it was ‘wrong’ for the ICC to place Netanyahu and Israel’s former Defense Minister Yoav Galant on the same level as Hamas. France took a cautious approach and emphasized its respect for the independent work of the ICC while avoiding confirming any commitment to arrest Netanyahu. Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine said in a statement that France takes note of the decision. In line with its long-standing commitment to support international justice, it reiterates its attachment to the independent work of the Court in accordance with the Rome Statute.

Lemoine described the ICC’s warrant as a procedural formality rather than a final decision. Germany, another staunch ally of Israel, remained unaffected by the ICC decision, maintaining its existing policies, including arms deliveries to Israel.