Italian ministers have assured Israel that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other state leaders will have diplomatic immunity during visits to Italy, despite recent International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants. The assurance came during high-level meetings with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar in Rome.
In discussions with Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani and Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, Italian officials confirmed their legal position is backed by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The commitment effectively shields Israeli leaders from potential ICC enforcement on Italian soil.
During the diplomatic talks, Sa'ar strongly criticized the ICC's recent warrants, pointing out that Israel isn't a signatory to the Rome Statute that established the court. He characterized the warrants against Netanyahu and Israel's former Defense Minister as a direct challenge to Israel's right to self-defense.
The Israeli minister also highlighted what he sees as mounting bias in international courts. He pointed to Nawaf Salam, who recently called Israel an "enemy" upon becoming Lebanon's Prime Minister - just after presiding over the International Court of Justice panel hearing South Africa's genocide case against Israel.
"What justice can Israel expect under these circumstances?" Sa'ar asked during the meetings, according to sources familiar with the discussions. He accused international judicial institutions of becoming increasingly politicized.
The Italian government's position on diplomatic immunity could set a precedent for other European nations grappling with the intersection of ICC obligations and diplomatic relations with Israel. The development comes as international legal pressure on Israeli officials has intensified, particularly following the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Italian officials emphasized their legal interpretation is grounded in established diplomatic protocols, offering a potential blueprint for other nations seeking to balance ICC commitments with traditional diplomatic immunities.
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