Netanyahu: Merz extends invitation despite ICC arrest warrant

German conservative leader and election winner Friedrich Merz intends to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for an official visit to Germany, despite an outstanding international warrant for his arrest, Netanyahu said on Monday.

Netanyahu’s office stated that he had a “cordial conversation” with the likely future chancellor on Sunday evening after the election and congratulated him on his success.

It further said that Merz announced an official invitation to Netanyahu, describing it as an “open challenge against the scandalous decision of the International Criminal Court to label the prime minister as a war criminal.”

Merz’s Christian Democratic Union confirmed the phone call but did not comment on its contents.

Last year, international arrest warrants were issued for Netanyahu and the then Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant on account of alleged war crimes in the Gaza war.

Merz had informed the German Jewish newspaper Jüdische Allgemeine of his intention almost two weeks ago: “Under my leadership, the Israeli prime minister will be able to travel to Germany unimpeded. I will find ways and means to make this possible.”