“I don’t think there is a European country where Netanyahu would be arrested if he was on its territory. France, for example, would not. I don’t think we would do it, ”said the conservative, Flemish politician.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has sparked strong reactions today when he said that, in the name of “realistic policy”, Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu would not be arrested if he had been in a Belgian territory.
“I don’t think there is a European country where Netanyahu would be arrested if he was on its territory. France, for example, would not. I don’t think we would do it, ”said the conservative, Flemish politician.
Bart De Wever was asked on Thursday by Public Flemish television VRT about the attitude of Hungary by Victor Orban, who welcomed Netanyahu while a warrant for arrest is pending for crimes against humanity and war crimes. At the same time, Hungary has begun the process of departure from the ICC.
The Belgian prime minister replied that he believes in multiples and in a world based on common rules. “I prefer this world and, if dissolved, I will be sorry,” he added.
When he was asked to say how he would react if the aircraft carrying Netanyahu landed in Belgium extraordinary, Bart de Weaver initially described this scenario as “very unlikely”. But he then cited the principle of “realistic policy”, stating that he doubted that he would arrest.
“I don’t doubt it at all,” the president of the French -speaking Socialist Party Paul Manlet, one of the opposition leaders, replied today with a post on the X platform. “When an international arrest warrant is issued, when international justice is expressed, Belgium must declare” present “, without interpretations,” he added, referring to “legal and moral obligation”.
For its part, the Non -Governmental Organization for the Defense of Human Rights CNCD 11.11.11, described Bart De Wever’s statements as “unacceptable”. “Given the signal that the Israeli prime minister can travel undisturbed to Belgium (De Vever) weakens international law” which “is not a la carte menu,” he commented.
Stating that he feels “ashamed”, the co -chair of the party Ecolo Samuel Cogolati attacked the Foreign Minister, the French -speaking Central Maxim Prevo: “Is this your own rule of law?” questioned.
The controversy is expected to continue next week in Parliament, where the External Relations Committee will be convened at the request of the opposition.
Source: RES-EIA