Merz invites Netanyahu to Germany despite ICC warrants

Friedrich Merz, the likely next chancellor of Germany, has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Germany, defying an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) labeling Netanyahu a war criminal. This invitation followed a congratulatory phone call between the two leaders after Merz's conservative CDU party won the national elections. The ICC had issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and his former defense minister in late 2024 due to alleged war crimes linked to the Gaza conflict. Merz's invitation signals a potential shift in Germany's diplomatic stance towards Israel, contrasting the previous government's commitment to the ICC's directives. Netanyahu expressed a desire to strengthen ties between Israel and Germany during their conversation. The situation raises concerns about the implications for Germany's relations with international law and the ICC.