Belgium Prime Minister Rules Out Arrest of Netanyahu Despite ICC Warrant

Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever has confirmed that if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Belgium, he will not be arrested, despite the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of war crimes. De Wever’s comments, which were made on April 5, 2025, sparked criticism from opposition parties, who argued that such statements undermine Belgium’s commitment to international law.

De Wever, speaking to local media, acknowledged the ICC’s warrant against Netanyahu but pointed out that Belgium, along with most European countries, would not arrest him if he visited. He argued that such a decision was grounded in “realpolitik,” where practical political considerations outweigh legal and ethical obligations. According to de Wever, arresting Netanyahu would be “hardly possible” under these conditions.

The International Criminal Court had issued the arrest warrant for Netanyahu in connection with war crime allegations, although Israel is not a member of the ICC. Steven Devulf, an international law professor, explained that from a legal perspective, Belgium would not be obligated to enforce the warrant, as Israel is not part of the court’s jurisdiction.

Despite the legal explanation, the political implications of de Wever’s statement have sparked backlash. Opposition groups, particularly the Flemish Green Party (Groen), have expressed concern that the prime minister’s position places Belgium outside the framework of international law. Groen’s representatives argued that de Wever’s stance could set a dangerous precedent for Belgium’s foreign policy and its adherence to international justice standards.

Furthermore, de Wever’s comments have drawn criticism from his coalition partners, including the Flemish Christian Democrats (CD&V), who stated that his remarks undermine international norms. The Flemish Socialist Party Vooruit and the French-speaking centrist party Les Engagés have also voiced their disapproval. These parties noted that de Wever had made his statements without consulting the federal government, raising concerns about the impact of such unilateral decisions on Belgium’s diplomatic relations.

While Belgium’s internal political landscape remains divided, de Wever’s remarks align with the approach taken by Hungary, where Netanyahu is currently visiting. Netanyahu is meeting with Hungarian leaders in what has been described as a display of mutual support. Despite the war crimes allegations, Hungary has been one of the few European countries to openly support Netanyahu, making de Wever’s comments less surprising to some analysts.