Scenarios exist where Netanyahu would not be arrested in the Netherlands

(Patria) - Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said that there could be options for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit the Netherlands without being arrested, despite the arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

He thus softened the stance of his Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, who said last week in parliament that the Netherlands would fully cooperate with the ICC, explaining that this means "they act on arrest warrants issued against people on Dutch territory".

Schoof stated that there are, however, scenarios within the Netherlands' obligations to the ICC under which Netanyahu would not be arrested, depending on the reason for his visit.

"The most important thing is that we have obligations arising from the treaty (on which the ICC is based) and that we respect them. In light of that, we would have to see how we would proceed if the Prime Minister of Israel came to the Netherlands.

There are possible scenarios, also within international law, under which he could come to the Netherlands without being arrested," Schoof told a press conference.

He did not, however, specify the circumstances under which Netanyahu could come to the country.

Last week, he said it might be possible for Netanyahu to visit an international organization located in the Netherlands, such as the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), without being arrested.

The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, issued arrest warrants last week for Netanyahu, his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the conflict in the Gaza Strip, which began after Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Although all EU member states are signatories to the Rome Statute, the international treaty that established the ICC, France said on Wednesday that it believes Netanyahu has immunity from ICC proceedings given that Israel is not a party to the Rome Statute.

Italy said it is not possible to arrest him as long as he holds the office of prime minister.