The Italian government has assured Israel that Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested if he goes to Italy, the Israeli Foreign Minister said on Wednesday during a visit to Rome. Gideon Saar said he spoke to his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani and Justice Minister Carlo Nordio about the arrest warrant issued against the Israeli prime minister by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in November.
“I don’t usually report what is said, but there is no problem for anyone who comes to Rome, not even for Netanyahu”he added, according to the ANSA and AGI news agencies. Asked later about these remarks, Antonio Tajani told journalists: “There are immunities and the immunities must be respected.”
Arrest warrants
The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, on suspicion of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, which followed the deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Reactions had been mixed within the Italian government of Giorgia Meloni, with Defense Minister Guido Crosetto initially saying that Italy would have to arrest Netanyahu if he visited Italy, while Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said he would be welcome.
World
