Italy questions ICC warrant feasibility as G7 avoids direct stance on Netanyahu case
Italian officials disagree over handling potential Netanyahu visit after ICC warrant issued last week. G7 meeting in Fiuggi ends with careful statement avoiding direct mention of arrest warrants
At a recent G7 gathering in Fiuggi Italyʼs foreign minister Antonio Tajani expressed serious doubts about ICC arrest warrants implementation; pointing out its not do-able to detain Benjamin Netanyahu while he leads Israelʼs government
The meeting (held on Nov 26) showed how G7 nations walk a thin line on this matter: their final statement didnt directly address ICC warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders but focused on broader issues. The document stated: “there can be no equivalence between the terrorist group Hamas and the State of Israel“
Inside Italyʼs government different views emerged — Guido Crosetto the defence minister said Italy must follow its ICC duties while Matteo Salvini from the League party insisted Netanyahu would be welcome. This split shows how the warrant creates a-lot of confusion among Italian decision makers
The ICCʼs move last week targeted both sides of the conflict including Netanyahu‚ Yoav Gallant and Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri. The US (which isnt an ICC member) strongly opposed these warrants; meanwhile Israel called them absurd and Hamas saw them as a step toward justice
The G7 members — including US‚ Canada Japan Britain France Germany and Italy: took a careful approach in their statement urging Israel to follow international law while defending itself. They wrote: “We will comply with our respective obligations“ avoiding direct comments about arrest warrants
