Spain vows to arrest Netanyahu if he visits under ICC order
Spain has announced that it will comply with the arrest warrant for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued by the International Criminal Court if he appears on its territory.
6:19 AM EST, November 29, 2024
Spain declared its readiness to execute the arrest warrant for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, issued by the International Criminal Court. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares informed that the country will fulfill its obligations under the Rome Statute, which establishes the ICC. The announcement was made during a speech in parliament where the Middle East conflict was discussed.
Minister Albares also announced that Spain will contribute an additional 1.6 million euros (about 1.7 million US dollars) to the International Criminal Court. Spain is one of the ten largest contributors to this institution.
Relations between Spain and Israel have been tense since October 2023, when Hamas and other Palestinian groups attacked southern Israel, and Israel responded with an offensive in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has repeatedly called on the European Union to suspend the association agreement with Israel.
Spain recognized the Palestinian state
In May, Spain formally recognized the Palestinian state, and in September, the Palestinian ambassador presented credentials to King Felipe VI. In October, the first Spanish-Palestinian intergovernmental meeting took place.
The International Criminal Court in The Hague issued arrest warrants in November for Prime Minister Netanyahu, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant, and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif. They are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the war in the Gaza Strip and the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
