Berlin, February 24, 2025 – Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, declared on Monday that he would work to ensure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can visit Germany without facing arrest under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.
Speaking at a press conference a day after his conservatives secured the largest share of the vote in the recent national election, Merz dismissed the notion that an Israeli leader could be barred from entering Germany. “I think it is a completely absurd idea that an Israeli prime minister cannot visit the Federal Republic of Germany,” he said. He added that he had already informed Netanyahu by phone that “we would find ways and means for him to visit Germany and leave again without being arrested.”
Netanyahu’s office later confirmed that the Israeli leader had congratulated Merz on the invitation, noting that the conversation included Merz’s promise to host Netanyahu “in defiance of the scandalous International Criminal Court decision to label the prime minister a war criminal.” The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, his former defense minister, and several Hamas officials in connection with alleged war crimes committed in Gaza.
All 27 European Union member states, including Germany, are signatories to the founding treaty of the ICC, which legally obligates them to arrest individuals subject to its warrants. However, Merz, an outspoken ally of Israel, emphasized that Germany’s responsibilities toward international justice must be balanced with its historical commitment to Israel - a commitment rooted in the country’s remembrance of the Holocaust.
The proposal has not been without controversy. Critics from Germany’s Left Party condemned Merz’s invitation as a “disaster” and accused him of double standards. Left party co-leader Jan van Aken argued, “If Vladimir Putin comes to Germany, then this arrest warrant must be implemented. The same applies to Netanyahu.”
The diplomatic row comes amid broader tensions surrounding the conflict in Gaza. The ICC’s warrants have further complicated international efforts to resolve the longstanding dispute, as Israel rejects the court’s jurisdiction and denies any wrongdoing.
As Germany grapples with its dual commitments to upholding international legal obligations and honoring its special responsibility towards Israel, Merz’s pledge to accommodate Netanyahu’s visit underscores the delicate balancing act that future German leaders may face in the realm of international justice and diplomacy.
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