Before his visit to Israel, Linken leader Jan van Aken urges a clear distance to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “A mere friendship visit to an internationally sought-after war criminal like Netanyahu must not take place” van Aken told the “Spiegel.” He also rejects any invitation to Germany from Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU). “If Merz invites him, we will legally review it” van Aken said. “War criminals should not feel untouchable in Germany – neither Putin nor Netanyahu.”
Germany has a special responsibility towards Israel, van Aken said and there is no question about it among the Left. However, the government must not tolerate legal violations. “In the moment when Netanyahu is received here and nothing happens, our rule of law is over” he claimed.
The Israeli prime minister is being sought by the International Criminal Court in The Hague (ICC) for alleged war crimes, along with Hamas leader Mohammed Deif. According to Israeli reports, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz had previously expressed openness to inviting Netanyahu to Germany. However, as a member of the ICC, Germany is obligated to arrest Netanyahu as soon as he enters its territory.