Prime Minister De Wever: « Belgium would not arrest Netanyahu »
© Reuters
How does Prime Minister Bart De Wever (N-VA) look at the decision of Hungary so as not to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu, even though there is an international arrest warrant against the Israeli Prime Minister? « I understand that and I think we wouldn’t do that either, to be very honest, » said De Wever for the VRT camera.
He has less understanding for the decision of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to withdraw Hungary from the International Criminal Court. « To use that as an argument to withdraw from the international legal order, I don’t see that connection immediately, » said De Wever. « There is also such a thing as Realpolitik. I don’t think there is a European country that would arrest Netanyahu, he had to be on the territory. France would not do that, and I think we wouldn’t do that either. »
Today, opposition parties Groen, Open VLD and PvdA already critically responded to the Wevers statements, but not everyone is happy with his statements within the majority. « It is not wise to make such statements, because they are anything but innocent, » says CD&V MP Els van Hoof.
“Such judgments undermine the international legal rules and ensure that in the long run no country still value international rules. They only give leaders with bad ideas to continue. I prefer not to see our country going up the way of countries such as Hungary.
Parliamentary committee for foreign relations
De Wever’s position was not discussed with the coalite partners. The extremely left -wing PvdA requires urgent to convene the parliamentary committee for foreign relations, so that the Prime Minister can give text and explanation with his statements. According to PvdA MP Nabil Boukili, the Belgian government is « on the side of the genocide » in the Palestinian Gaza Strip, and the credibility of our country to act as a defender of international law is far lost.
The Wevers position appears to be a change with regard to the previous government. In November last year, resigning Minister of Development Cooperation Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) also said that Belgium will support the international arrest against Netanyahu « and must also maintain ». « That makes sense, » said Vandenbroucke at the VRT. « We are on the side of the victims and of international law. » Vandenbroucke pointed out that this applies to both Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas leader Deif and also to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
