The planned presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at ceremonies related to the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau camp has sparked a heated political debate in Poland. The statements of representatives of the Polish government, opposition and global circles item both the historical importance of this event and the controversy surrounding the arrest warrant issued by the global Criminal Court (ICC).
Decision of the Polish Government
On Thursday, the Polish government adopted a resolution guaranteeing the free and safe participation of Israeli representatives in the celebration of the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. This decision was made in consequence to the appeal of president Andrzej Duda and global expectations of honouring the victims of the Holocaust.
Justice Minister Adam Bodnar stated in an interview with TVP Info that "Auschwitz-Birkenau is 1 large cemetery for all mankind and the highest representatives of the nation, who suffered so massively due to the Holocaust, should have a chance to be present on this peculiar day". He besides stressed that the government's position stems from historical and symbolic circumstances of the event.
Controversy and Opposition Reactions
Deputy Marshal of the Sejm Vladimir Czarzasty criticised the government's resolution, stating that Benjamin Netanyahu, in the event of coming to Poland, should be arrested under an ICC order. "I will ask the Minister of Justice for the motivations of this resolution. I will not criticize her, but in my opinion Netanjahu should not be allowed into Poland," said Czarzasty during a conversation with journalists.
In a akin tone, the vice-marshal of the legislature Magdalena Biejat, the candidate of the fresh Left for President, spoke. She stressed that Poland, as a signatory to the Treaty of Rome, has a work to comply with the decisions of the global Criminal Court. "At the minute erstwhile Netanjahu would stand on Polish soil, he should be arrested and delivered to the ICC so that he could be tried fairly," she said.
Position of the global Criminal Court
The ICC, in consequence to the questions of the Polish Press Agency, stressed that the signatory countries of the Statute of Rome are legally obliged to enforce the decisions of the Court. The message states that ‘States should not unilaterally interpret ICC rulings’, citing Article 119 of the Treaty of Rome, which states that disputes concerning the judicial functions of the Court shall be settled by the Court itself.
International importance of celebrations
The 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp, planned for January 27, will be attended by delegations from 25 countries and UNESCO. Israel is to represent the Minister of Education Yoav Kisch, as according to advisers of the Prime Minister Netanjahu, this 1 does not plan to participate in the celebrations.
The presence of Israeli representatives at the event is crucial for global cooperation on Holocaust memory. However, as left-wing club vice-president Tomasz Trela noted, the government's decision on the issue was taken in an emergency, which sparked additional controversy.
Summary
The debate around the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz reflects the complexity of contemporary global relations and the hard challenges of complying with global law. Poland is in a situation where it must balance historical work with current legal and political obligations. The celebrations of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau will stay a symbolic event that will remind us of the request for remembrance and global cooperation for peace and justice.
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