Amidst an ongoing international arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Poland has affirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and free participation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the upcoming 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The Polish government's resolution directly addresses concerns surrounding Netanyahu's potential attendance, given the ICC's warrant for alleged crimes against humanity related to the Gaza war.

The resolution, prompted by a request from Polish President Andrzej Duda to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, underscores the importance of Israel's highest-ranking officials participating in the commemoration. The Polish government emphasized that this commitment is a tribute to the Jewish people and the millions who perished during the Holocaust. This assurance comes despite the ICC's warrant and the requirement for member countries, including Poland, to detain individuals under such warrants. However, the ICC lacks an enforcement mechanism, and Israel itself is not a member and contests the court's jurisdiction.

While reports suggested the warrant might hinder Netanyahu's travel, Poland has dismissed such concerns as "fake news." The Polish Foreign Ministry stated it hadn't received confirmation of Netanyahu's attendance but affirmed that any leader visiting Poland receives protection from the Ministry of the Interior. Several nations, including France, have indicated they would not honor the ICC warrant, and Hungary's Prime Minister has openly defied it by inviting Netanyahu to his country.

The Auschwitz-Birkenau liberation anniversary commemoration, scheduled for January 27th in Oswiecim, will host international officials and Holocaust survivors. The event remembers the over 1.1 million individuals, predominantly Jewish, murdered at Auschwitz, along with Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war, and others.