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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Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 21 March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz agreed on Wednesday in Beijing to strengthen economic cooperation while addressing trade imbalances, market access concerns, and the war in Ukraine, during Merz’s first official visit to China since taking office.
Despite its economic might, the European Union is often labelled a “geopolitical dwarf.” The only region where it acts as an indisputable player, able to assert its will with relative ease, is the Western Balkans, along with parts of Eastern Europe.
The foreign ministers of the G7 group of nations on Friday called for an immediate stop to attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Iran war.
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France has rejected claims that South Africa was dropped from the guest list for this year’s G7 summit under pressure from United States, insisting the decision to invite Kenya was its own.
Two months after Indian negotiators worked in January to secure relief from punitive U.S. tariffs on the country’s exports and New Delhi moved to cut back its purchases of Russian crude oil, India and Russia are stepping up their energy ties once again, according to Reuters.
The United Arab Emirates has told the U.S. and other Western allies that it is willing to participate in a multinational maritime taskforce aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Nepal’s ousted former prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, and former home minister Ramesh Lekhak have been arrested over alleged negligence linked to the deaths of protesters during anti-corruption demonstrations last September.
China is moving ahead with plans to establish a nationwide long-term care insurance system, aimed at supporting its rapidly ageing population and easing the financial burden on families caring for elderly relatives.
The U.S. Congress failed on Friday (27 March) to resolve a six-week funding impasse that has disrupted airports and left tens of thousands of federal workers without pay, raising fears of further travel chaos during the busy spring break period.
Tiger Woods, the former world number one golfer, has been released from custody after being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence following a crash in Florida, police said.
Turkish military personnel participating in NATO’s mission in Iraq have been “successfully” withdrawn from the country, the Turkish Defence Ministry announced on Thursday.
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