Certainly not all EU members will arrest him, but the most will. The ICC statement is clear, the problem for some countries is the USA and beeing a NATO member (sadly) at the same time Israel is supported by the USA. This is because some countries are still hesitant, not for other reasons.
The real world is this, and because more and more countries want to turn the EU sovereign respect the US. Trumps BBB and Tariffs for the EU, probably will accelerate this process in August 1, in the manner of selfdefense.
The International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu remain valid and binding on all EU member states after judges rejected Israel’s appeal to withdraw them on July 16, 2025[1][2].
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell emphasized that implementing the warrants “is not optional” for EU states[3]. However, European countries are divided on enforcement:
Countries confirming they would arrest Netanyahu:
Netherlands: “If he comes to Dutch soil, he will be arrested,” said Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp[4]
Ireland: Prime Minister Simon Harris stated Netanyahu would “absolutely” be arrested[5]
Spain: The Foreign Ministry confirmed Spain “will comply with its commitments”[5:1]
Belgium: Initially said it would arrest Netanyahu but later Premier Bart De Wever stated “practical considerations prevail over ethical considerations” and doubted any European country would make the arrest[6]
Countries refusing or hesitant:
Hungary: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called the warrants “shameful” and invited Netanyahu with guarantees against arrest[7]
Germany: Government spokesperson said it’s “hard to imagine arrests could be made”[1:1]
France: Claims Netanyahu has “immunities” from prosecution[8]
Italy: Foreign Minister Tajani called Netanyahu’s arrest “unfeasible”[9]
The warrants accuse Netanyahu of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including using starvation as a method of warfare in Gaza between October 2023 and May 2024[10]. While all 27 EU states are legally obligated to enforce ICC warrants, political considerations have created a rift in their response[3:1].
Certainly not all EU members will arrest him, but the most will. The ICC statement is clear, the problem for some countries is the USA and beeing a NATO member (sadly) at the same time Israel is supported by the USA. This is because some countries are still hesitant, not for other reasons. The real world is this, and because more and more countries want to turn the EU sovereign respect the US. Trumps BBB and Tariffs for the EU, probably will accelerate this process in August 1, in the manner of selfdefense.
Politico - Netanyahu arrest warrant: Where can he still go in Europe? ↩︎ ↩︎
Straits Times - ICC judges reject Israel’s request to withdraw Netanyahu arrest warrant ↩︎
EurActiv - ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu ‘binding’ on member states ↩︎ ↩︎
Channel 4 - Netanyahu arrest warrant: Europe split over ICC ruling ↩︎
Newsweek - Netanyahu Arrest Warrant: Full List of Countries That Will Comply with ICC ↩︎ ↩︎
The Hindu - Is Netanyahu Above the Law? ↩︎
Sweden Herald - Netanyahu Heads to EU Despite ICC Arrest Warrant ↩︎
Washington Examiner - EU says arresting Netanyahu ‘not optional’ as members waiver on warrant ↩︎
i24 News - ICC Upholds Arrest Warrants Against Benjamin Netanyahu & Yoav Gallant ↩︎
Al Jazeera - ICC prosecutor warned to drop Netanyahu case or be ‘destroyed’ ↩︎