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.
The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), the ambitious multimodal transit corridor designed to connect mainland Azerbaijan with...
Armenia’s National Assembly election on 7 June is increasingly being viewed not only as a domestic political contest, but also as a vote that could ...
An ageing, poorly insured shadow armada now accounts for around one-sixth of the world's tanker fleet. Hidden by design and fraught with risk, it oper...
The U.S. said it struck Iranian radar sites on Qeshm Island and in Goruk after intercepting four drones, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they l...
U.S. President Donald Trump said he sees progress between Israel and Lebanon after talks with Netanyahu, while Hezbollah has rejected a new ceasefire ...
Germany has failed to secure a rotating seat on the United Nations Security Council, ending decades of successful bids and prompting fresh debate about the country's diplomatic standing on the global stage.
Germany's foreign minister Johann Wadephul has suggested that Berlin's strong backing of Ukraine and its close ties with Israel may have contributed to its failure to secure a seat on the United Nations Security Council.
The United States is withdrawing 5,000 troops from NATO ally Germany, the Pentagon announced on Friday, as a rift over the Iran war widens between President Donald Trump and Europe.
Hungary’s veteran nationalist leader Viktor Orbán has lost power to the centre-right Tisza party in Sunday’s national election after 16 years in office, marking a major political shift that has drawn reactions across Europe and the United States.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said in a statement that its Aerospace Force did not strike the Kuwait Airport passenger terminal on Wednesday, and that the destruction was instead caused by a failed U.S. Patriot missile.
Five Azerbaijani citizens have been killed and three others injured following drone attacks on two cargo vessels in the Sea of Azov, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
Azerbaijan has strongly rejected allegations published by CNN claiming that its territory was used for Israeli military and intelligence operations against Iran, describing the report as entirely baseless and demanding a retraction.
As Armenia heads toward parliamentary elections on 7 June, the country's relationship with Azerbaijan is emerging as one of the defining issues of the campaign, with analysts and international observers highlighting the role of regional politics in shaping voters’ mindsets.
Armenia will hold parliamentary elections on 7 June 2026, a vote that will shape the country’s political direction for the next five years. Understanding how the electoral system converts votes into parliamentary power is key to following the outcome and its wider regional implications.
People across Gaza are facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, with millions struggling to access food, clean water, shelter and medical care as the conflict continues.
The next time a goal goes in during a Champions League final, fans around the world could watch it from every angle at once — frozen, rotated and replayed in ways that were impossible only a few years ago.
An ageing, poorly insured shadow armada now accounts for around one-sixth of the world's tanker fleet. Hidden by design and fraught with risk, it operates beyond conventional oversight. A maritime law expert explains how it works, who profits, and why much of the world looks the other way.
Financial markets are significantly underestimating the economic impact of biodiversity loss, potentially leaving countries exposed to sovereign debt crises and rising borrowing costs, according to new research published on Friday.
Five astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) were instructed to take shelter and prepare for a possible evacuation on Friday after an air leak in the Russian segment of the orbital outpost worsened, according to NASA.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment