Poland must avoid double standards, arrest Netanyahu if he visits: UN special rapporteur

LONDON

Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur, on Friday called on Poland to uphold the principles of universal justice by arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the country.

Her statement highlighted the importance of consistent application of international law.

Albanese's remarks were a response to Poland’s earlier condemnation of Mongolia for failing to detain Russian President Vladimir Putin under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.

"ICC members are obliged to arrest persons subject to an #ICC warrant," Albanese wrote. "Poland, which condemned Mongolia for not arresting Pr. Putin, should arrest PM Netanyahu, if he visits. Selective application of the law erodes the universality of international justice and multilateralism."

Since a Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, Palestinian civilians have been subjected to a brutal Israeli military campaign, which has killed more than 45,800 people, mostly women and children, and injured over 109,000.

In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its deadly war on the enclave.