Netherlands Prepared to Arrest Netanyahu for War Crimes

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stated that Italy would have to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he entered the country, following the International Criminal Court's (ICC) recent arrest warrants for him and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif. In the Netherlands, Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp echoed this stance, confirming that the country would also arrest Netanyahu and Gallant under the obligations of the Rome Statute, which governs the ICC. The warrants were issued based on allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to events in Gaza since October 8, 2023. Veldkamp emphasized the Netherlands' commitment to the Rome Statute and indicated that non-essential contacts with the accused individuals would be avoided. Opposition parties in the Netherlands have expressed that ministers should refrain from engaging with Netanyahu during official visits. Netanyahu has not indicated plans to visit the Netherlands amidst the ongoing tensions.