Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not attend the 80th anniversary ceremony of Auschwitz’s liberation in Poland, reportedly due to fears of arrest after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant against him for alleged war crimes during the Gaza war, the Polish daily Rzeczpospolita reported Friday.
Deputy Polish Foreign Minister Władysław Bartoszewski, who is coordinating the January 27 ceremony, emphasized Poland’s obligation to respect ICC decisions. “We are obliged to respect the decisions of the ICC,” Bartoszewski said.
The absence of Israel’s leader is notable at a commemoration of the liberation of the Nazi death camp, where Jews comprised the vast majority of victims. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar is expected to represent Israel, though some officials suggested Education Minister Yoav Kisch may attend instead.
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The report claimed Israeli authorities did not even request Netanyahu’s attendance, anticipating Warsaw’s likely response. President Isaac Herzog is also expected to forgo the event, a departure from previous ceremonies when then-president Reuven Rivlin attended the 75th anniversary.
World leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, Britain’s King Charles, Spanish King Felipe VI and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier are confirmed to attend.
Organizers invited U.S. President-elect Donald Trump but expect representation by Vice President-elect JD Vance or Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio. Russian President Vladimir Putin was not invited.